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 "Trichloroethylene (TCE); Regulation Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)".
- Bill Number
- S.J.Res. 19
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Environmental Protection
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-02-13: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Last Updated
- 2025-03-17T18:44:44Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This joint resolution (S.J. Res. 19) aims to block a specific Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that regulates trichloroethylene (TCE), a chemical substance. It uses the Congressional Review Act—a law that lets Congress quickly overturn certain federal agency rules—to prevent the EPA's regulation from going into effect.
Key Provisions
- Disapproval of the Rule: The resolution explicitly disapproves the EPA's rule titled "Trichloroethylene (TCE); Regulation Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)," published in the Federal Register on December 17, 2024 (89 Fed. Reg. 102568).
- Nullification: If passed, the rule would have no legal force or effect, meaning the EPA's proposed restrictions on TCE would not apply.
- Introduction and Referral: Introduced in the Senate on February 13, 2025, by Senator Kennedy, and referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works for review.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This resolution does not amend broader laws like the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), which gives the EPA authority to regulate harmful chemicals. Instead, it targets and overrides one specific EPA rule under TSCA, effectively halting new controls on TCE without altering the underlying statute.
- It invokes Chapter 8 of Title 5 of the U.S. Code (the Congressional Review Act), which provides a fast-track process for Congress to disapprove rules submitted to it within a certain timeframe after issuance.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The EPA would lose authority to enforce this particular TCE regulation, potentially limiting its ability to address chemical risks in the short term. It could set a precedent for future congressional interventions in EPA rulemaking.
- On Citizens: If the rule aimed to reduce TCE exposure (a solvent linked to health risks like cancer and neurological effects), blocking it might increase public health risks for workers and communities near industrial sites. Conversely, it could reduce regulatory burdens that might affect everyday products.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it could influence U.S. alignment with global chemical safety standards, such as those from the United Nations, by delaying domestic protections.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Directly impacted as the rule's creator; disapproval would undermine its regulatory efforts on TCE.
- Chemical and Manufacturing Industries: Users of TCE (e.g., in cleaning agents, adhesives, and electronics) benefit from avoided compliance costs and restrictions.
- Workers and Public Health Advocates: Potentially harmed if the rule was designed to limit TCE exposure in workplaces or consumer products; includes labor unions and environmental groups like the Sierra Club.
- Congress and Taxpayers: Reinforces congressional oversight of executive branch actions, potentially saving government resources on enforcement.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Relies on the Congressional Review Act, which requires a simple majority in both chambers and presidential signature (or veto override) to succeed. If enacted, it prevents judicial review of the disapproved rule, streamlining congressional control over agencies.
- Constitutional: Highlights the separation of powers, as it asserts Congress's role in checking executive agencies' rulemaking under laws like TSCA, without raising direct constitutional challenges in the text.
- Political: As an early 119th Congress action (introduced February 2025), it signals partisan divides on environmental regulation, with potential for debate over balancing industry interests against health protections. No broader policy shifts are outlined, but it could inspire similar resolutions against other EPA rules.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2025-02-13: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 2025-02-13: 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 Trichloroethylene (TCE); Regulation Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). — issued 2025-02-13 — PDF (2 pages)