Senate Republicans Continue to Undo Biden’s Costly Regulatory Agenda

“We’re no longer regulating our way to the Green New Deal. President Trump has moved swiftly to unleash energy production and remove regulatory barriers. And Republicans in Congress are joining those efforts. To date, we’ve passed a number of resolutions blocking Biden-era regulations through the Congressional Review Act. And we’ll continue those efforts this week.” – Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.)

THIS WEEK, THE SENATE CONTINUED ITS WORK DISMANTLING THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION’S REGULATORY OVERREACH, PASSING THREE CONGRESSIONAL REVIEW ACT RESOLUTIONS OF DISAPPROVAL

The Senate passed Sen. Jon Husted’s (R-Ohio) resolution overturning a Biden regulation that issued “new certification, labeling and enforcement requirements for 20 household and commercial products, including dishwashers, central AC and heat pumps, clothes, washers,” which would increase costs and reduce options for consumers. (H.J.Res. 42: Roll Call Vote #223 – 4/30/25; Sen. Husted: Senate passes Husted resolution to relieve consumers from burdensome Biden requirements on household appliances – 4/30/25)

- “Bureaucratic, out-of-touch regulations make it harder for taxpayers to afford appliances. My resolution would cut red tape for manufacturers, restore consumer choice and lower costs for hardworking Americans across the country. It’s important that my first bill to go to the president’s desk eliminates regulations for the American people instead of adding to them.” – Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio)

The Senate voted to pass Sen. Ashley Moody’s (R-Fla.) resolution overturning a Biden rule mandating more stringent energy standards for commercial refrigerators and freezers, which would drive up costs and reduce choice for small businesses such as restaurants, convenience stores, and grocery stores. (H.J.Res 75: Roll Call Vote #228 – 5/1/25; Sen. Moody: Out of the Gate, Moody Emerges as Champion to Eliminate Costly Rules of Biden-Era “Green New Scam” – 5/1/25)

- - If this regulation were allowed to remain on the books, Biden’s short-sighted harmful standards would force commercial fridge and freezer manufacturers to discontinue product lines and close factories in the U.S… The government should be making it easier to plan and establish food distribution chains, rather than undermining them with harmful regulatory uncertainty.” – Sen. Ashley Moody (R-Fla.)

The Senate also passed Sen. John Curtis’ (R-Utah) resolution blocking a Biden rule requiring entities to continue being subject to “major source” national emissions standards even if they reduce their emissions below the threshold outlined in the Clean Air Act. (S.J. Res 31: Roll Call Vote #229 – 5/1/25; Sen. Curtis: Curtis Resolution Overturning Harmful EPA Rule Passes Senate – 5/1/25)

- “The rule put forward under the former Administration shut the door on progress. It told companies that no matter how much they invest to reduce harmful emissions, they would still be punished with permanent red tape. That’s not good science, it’s not good governance, and it certainly isn’t good for the environment. My resolution restores a common-sense incentive: if you clean up, you get credit for it.” – Sen. John Curtis (R-Utah)

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HEAPED RECORD AMOUNTS OF REGULATIONS ON AMERICANS AND SMALL BUSINESSES, AND REPUBLICANS WILL KEEP WORKING TO REVERSE THEM

“President Trump has set a goal of eliminating 10 regulations for every new one his Administration issues. Republicans in Congress could help him by reversing Joe Biden’s many overreaches, and soon.” (The Wall Street Journal: Editorial: Congress Lines Up Regulatory Vetoes – 2/21/25)

In February, President Trump issued an executive order to “commence the deconstruction of the overbearing and burdensome administrative state,” adding that “ending Federal overreach and restoring the constitutional separation of powers is a priority of my Administration.” (Politico: Trump executive order requires sweeping review of federal regulations – 2/20/25)

During President Biden’s time in office, his administration’s regulatory costs “added up to more than $1.8 trillion – far exceeding any preceding administration on record,” leading to the creation of 356 million new hours of paperwork compliance. (American Action Forum: The Biden Regulatory Record – 1/29/25)

The Biden administration issued more economically significant rules “than any of the past six administrations managed to accomplish in the entire four years of their first term.” (The Wall Street Journal: The Regulatory State Is In Flux Like Never Before, and Businesses Are Hating It – 9/3/24)

A December 2024 Small Business Index survey found that “51% of small businesses say navigating regulatory compliance requirements is negatively impacting their growth,” and almost as many “say their business spends too much time fulfilling regulatory compliance requirements.” (U.S. Chamber of Commerce: A Majority of Small Businesses Say Regulations Hinder Growth – 12/16/24)