Politicians and the Trump administration are turning their tough talk into action
When it comes to dismantling safeguards for our air, water and public lands, it seems Congress and the Trump administration are intent on turning tough talk into action. Thursday, Congress moved to eliminate a rule to keep coal mining pollution out of streams and a requirement for oil companies to disclose payment to foreign governments. These are not just attacks on our public health, but a tip of the hat to corporate sponsors and campaign donors.
Congressional leaders are using an obscure law called the Congressional Review Act (CRA). Passed in 1996, the CRA allows Congress to nullify recently-passed regulations with a simple majority vote. Once these rules are rolled back they cannot return, as a provision of the CRA prohibits an agency from passing “substantially similar” regulations in the future.