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The House passed a resolution to nullify an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that would have charged oil and gas companies for excess methane emissions. The measure passed 220–206, largely along party lines.
This vote was on House Joint Resolution 35, a measure to strike down a 2024 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulation. That regulation created a "Waste Emissions Charge," which required petroleum and natural gas companies to pay fees if they released excessive amounts of methane and other greenhouse gases. By passing this resolution, the House moved to prevent the EPA from enforcing these financial penalties. This is a "disapproval resolution" under the Congressional Review Act (CRA). This specific type of vote allows Congress to overturn rules made by federal agencies with a simple majority in both the House and Senate. If the resolution is signed by the President, the agency's rule is legally erased as if it never existed and the agency is generally blocked from passing similar rules in the future. The resolution passed with nearly all Republicans in favor and most Democrats opposed. Because it eventually became law, the EPA is now prohibited from implementing this specific emissions charge. This represents a significant policy shift regarding how the federal government regulates greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector.
The resolution was sent to the Senate for consideration, where it also required a simple majority to pass.
OPEN BILL →Why it matters. This vote determines whether the federal government can use financial penalties to incentivize oil and gas companies to reduce methane leaks, a major factor in climate change.
Who’s affected. Oil and gas companies: Avoided paying fees on excess methane emissions, reducing operational costs. · Environmental Protection Agency: Lost a specific regulatory tool intended to curb greenhouse gas emissions. · General Public: Potential for higher methane emissions which contribute to climate change and air quality issues.
Democrats. The vast majority of Democrats voted against the resolution to maintain the EPA's ability to penalize methane emissions.
Republicans. Almost all Republicans voted for the resolution to eliminate what they characterized as an unnecessary financial burden on the energy industry.
On Passage
Feb 26, 2025
The House passed a resolution to nullify an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that would have charged oil and gas companies for excess methane emissions.
The measure passed 220–206, largely along party lines.
This is a vote under the Congressional Review Act (CRA), which gives Congress a shortcut to repeal agency regulations. A "Yes" vote is a vote to kill the regulation, while a "No" vote is a vote to keep the regulation in place.
The resolution was sent to the Senate for consideration, where it also required a simple majority to pass.
This vote determines whether the federal government can use financial penalties to incentivize oil and gas companies to reduce methane leaks, a major factor in climate change.
The vote was highly partisan, with Republicans nearly unanimous in support of the repeal and Democrats nearly unanimous in opposition.
The vast majority of Democrats voted against the resolution to maintain the EPA's ability to penalize methane emissions.
Almost all Republicans voted for the resolution to eliminate what they characterized as an unnecessary financial burden on the energy industry.
One independent member voted in favor of the resolution.