A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Modification to the Start of the Submission Period for Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Reporting and Recordkeeping Under TSCA 8(a)(7)".
- Bill Number
- S.J.Res. 187
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Environmental Protection
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-27: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-13T19:55:00Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This joint resolution (S.J. Res. 187) aims to block a specific rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The rule would change the starting date for when companies must submit reports on Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)—chemicals often called "forever chemicals" because they do not break down easily in the environment—under Section 8(a)(7) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), a law that requires tracking certain chemicals.
Key Provisions
- Disapproval of EPA Rule: Congress explicitly disapproves the EPA's rule titled "Modification to the Start of the Submission Period for Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Reporting and Recordkeeping Under TSCA 8(a)(7)", published in the Federal Register on April 13, 2026 (91 Fed. Reg. 18786).
- No Force or Effect: The rule is nullified and cannot be implemented if the resolution passes.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This uses the Congressional Review Act (CRA, under Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code), a process allowing Congress to overturn agency rules with a simple majority vote and no amendments or filibuster.
- It prevents the EPA from delaying the original reporting deadline, effectively keeping the prior timeline intact without altering TSCA itself.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: EPA loses authority to enforce the modified (likely delayed) submission start date, potentially requiring it to redirect resources to the original schedule.
- On Citizens and Environment: Could lead to earlier collection of PFAS data from companies, aiding faster public awareness, regulation, or cleanup of these persistent pollutants in water, soil, and products.
- On Businesses: Chemical manufacturers, importers, and processors must adhere to the unmodified reporting deadline, possibly increasing short-term compliance costs but avoiding prolonged uncertainty.
- No direct impact on international relations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- EPA: Directly targeted, as its rulemaking is overturned.
- Chemical Industry: Companies required to report PFAS production, use, and disposal data under TSCA.
- Congress: Senate (introduced by Sen. Whitehouse, referred to Environment and Public Works Committee) and House must vote to enact.
- Environmental and Public Health Groups: Likely support earlier reporting for better chemical oversight.
- General Public: Benefits from potential quicker access to PFAS exposure information.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens congressional oversight of executive agency rules via CRA, which has a 60-day window for disapproval; successful passage prevents judicial review of the blocked rule.
- Constitutional: Reinforces separation of powers by allowing legislative check on administrative actions without new legislation.
- Political: Highlights partisan or issue-based divides on environmental regulation; as a Democrat-led disapproval of an EPA rule (possibly seen as industry-friendly delay), it could signal urgency on PFAS accountability amid ongoing public health concerns.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-27: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 2026-04-27: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to Modification to the Start of the Submission Period for Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Reporting and Recordkeeping Under TSCA 8(a)(7). — issued 2026-04-27 — PDF (2 pages)