Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles-Phase 3".
Summary
H.J. Res. 26 is a congressional disapproval resolution under the Congressional Review Act. It would nullify the Environmental Protection Agency’s final rule titled “Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles—Phase 3,” published at 89 Fed. Reg. 29440 on April 22, 2024. If enacted, the resolution would make that EPA rule have no force or effect.
The resolution does not create a new regulatory program or amend the underlying Clean Air Act directly. Instead, it uses Congress’s CRA authority to overturn an existing federal environmental regulation affecting emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles, such as trucks and other large commercial vehicles. Its practical effect would be to block implementation and enforcement of the Phase 3 greenhouse gas standards at the federal level.
Impact
If enacted, the joint resolution would invalidate the EPA’s Phase 3 greenhouse gas emissions rule for heavy-duty vehicles and prevent the agency from enforcing those standards. The bill would not itself establish replacement emissions requirements, but it would remove a federal regulatory mandate that could affect vehicle manufacturers, engine makers, trucking companies, and related supply chains. Because it is a CRA disapproval resolution, it also carries the broader legal effect associated with congressional nullification of a final agency rule.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears to reflect opposition to the EPA’s heavy-duty vehicle emissions rule rather than bipartisan consensus. There are no recorded committee transcripts or votes in the provided material, so no direct debate record is available here. The filing and referral suggest the bill is part of a broader effort to roll back federal environmental regulations, a position typically supported by lawmakers concerned about regulatory burden and opposed by those favoring stricter emissions controls.
Contention
The main point of contention is the EPA’s authority and policy choice to impose Phase 3 greenhouse gas standards on heavy-duty vehicles. Supporters of disapproval are likely to argue that the rule increases costs, burdens manufacturers and trucking operators, and exceeds appropriate federal regulation. Opponents would likely contend that the standards are important for reducing emissions and addressing climate change, and that overturning them would weaken environmental protections. No specific member statements or vote breakdowns are provided, so the dispute can only be inferred from the subject matter of the resolution.