East Idaho Times

U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, along with Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, are leading an effort to oppose the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) new rule tightening fine particulate matter (PM2.5) standards. McConnell and 45 Senate Republicans have introduced a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to prevent the EPA from enforcing this regulation.

Senator Crapo expressed his concern, stating, "The United States has some of the cleanest air in the world and continues to make strong progress on many fronts to reduce its emissions footprint. Yet, the Administration’s proposed solution is to regulate American businesses out of business, with little to no health or environmental benefit."

Senator Risch also criticized the Biden administration's approach, saying, "The president’s unnecessary rule must be stopped before it destroys more of Idaho’s industrial jobs and capabilities."

Senator McConnell highlighted the economic impact of the EPA's new standard, stating, "The EPA’s new standard is so strict that upon its effect, 30 percent of U.S. counties, including many in my home state of Kentucky, would immediately find themselves out of compliance, grounding manufacturing growth to a halt."

In response to these concerns, McConnell announced, "Today, I’m introducing a resolution under the Congressional Review Act that would prevent the EPA from plowing ahead with this senseless regulatory overkill. Senate Republicans will continue to stand with American workers and job creators – especially when Biden Administration tries to make their work harder."

A significant number of other Republican senators have joined Crapo, Risch, and McConnell on the CRA resolution to push back against what they perceive as excessive regulatory measures imposed by the EPA.