Search people, articles, bills, and more
The House voted 216-212 to pass S.J.Res. 31, a resolution that cancels a recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule. The rule would have allowed certain large industrial polluters to follow less strict environmental regulations.
This vote was on S.J.Res. 31, a resolution that uses the Congressional Review Act to block a specific Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule. The rule in question changed how major industrial facilities, like large factories, are classified under the Clean Air Act. If the rule had remained in place, some large facilities would have been reclassified as 'area sources,' allowing them to follow less strict pollution controls than they currently do. This was a vote on 'passage,' which is the final step for a measure in the House of Representatives. Because this is a joint resolution, passing it allows Congress to directly nullify a federal regulation. To pass, the measure needed a simple majority of the members who were present and voting. The resolution passed with a narrow margin of 216 to 212, following strict party lines. Republicans supported the measure as a way to reduce regulatory burdens on businesses, while Democrats opposed it to maintain higher environmental and public health standards. Because the resolution passed and was signed into law, the EPA rule is nullified and cannot be reissued in a similar form.
As this resolution has now become law, the EPA rule is officially void, and the agency is prohibited from issuing a substantially similar rule in the future.
OPEN BILL →Why it matters. This vote determined whether large industrial sites would continue to face high-level pollution monitoring or be allowed to transition to lighter oversight.
Who’s affected. Industrial Facilities: Must continue to comply with stricter pollution control requirements and associated costs rather than receiving regulatory relief. · Local Communities: Residents living near major industrial sites may see more consistent air quality protections due to the rule's cancellation. · Environmental Protection Agency: The agency's regulatory authority is narrowed regarding this specific issue, as they cannot re-issue the same rule.
Democrats. Democrats voted unanimously (among those present) against the resolution, seeking to keep stricter environmental regulations in place.
Republicans. Republicans voted nearly unanimously in favor, with only one member breaking ranks to join Democrats in opposition.
On Passage
May 22, 2025
The House voted 216-212 to pass S.J.Res.
31, a resolution that cancels a recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule. The rule would have allowed certain large industrial polluters to follow less strict environmental regulations.
A vote on passage is the final step for a measure in this chamber. This specific resolution uses the Congressional Review Act, which gives Congress a window of time to overturn rules made by federal agencies using a simple majority vote.
As this resolution has now become law, the EPA rule is officially void, and the agency is prohibited from issuing a substantially similar rule in the future.
This vote determined whether large industrial sites would continue to face high-level pollution monitoring or be allowed to transition to lighter oversight.
The vote was almost entirely split along party lines, with nearly all Republicans voting in favor and all but one Democrat voting against.
Democrats voted unanimously (among those present) against the resolution, seeking to keep stricter environmental regulations in place.
Republicans voted nearly unanimously in favor, with only one member breaking ranks to join Democrats in opposition.
The one independent member voted in favor of the resolution.