Utah Valley Times

U.S. Senator Mitt Romney has joined his colleagues in introducing a Congressional Review Act (CRA) Joint Resolution of Disapproval to nullify the FHWA rule that imposes greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions performance measures on state departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations. The resolution aims to illustrate Congress' objection to this federal overreach.

Senator Romney, along with Senators Kevin Cramer, Shelley Moore Capito, and Joe Manchin, is leading the bipartisan effort to overturn the FHWA's rule. The rule, finalized in November 2023, was implemented by the Biden Administration without the authority from Congress.

"The latest highway emissions measures implemented by the Biden Administration are yet another example of Washington pretending to know what's best for our states," said Senator Romney. "It is unserious to expect that Utah could meet these unattainable standards—especially for the Utahns who live and work in the rural parts of our state. Their ability to work, travel, and go about their daily lives would be severely restricted, which is why I'm proud to join my colleagues in opposing this mandate."

Senator Cramer, Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure, criticized the one-size-fits-all approach of the FHWA's rule. He stated, "New York and North Dakota have very different transportation systems, needs, and capabilities, but under this one-size-fits-all mandate, they're effectively treated the same. A subway stop at a cattle ranch is silly and unserious, and so is the idea of widespread EV use in North Dakota."

Senator Capito, Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, accused the Biden administration of neglecting the bipartisan law passed by Congress and signed by the president himself. She emphasized that FHWA's rule limits the flexibility of states to advance their own transportation investment priorities, jeopardizing critical investments, jobs, and economic growth across the country.

Senator Manchin, Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, echoed his colleagues' concerns about federal overreach. He stated, "The FHWA's final rule is yet another example of irresponsible federal overreach. This rule will cause serious economic damage to our transportation industries, especially in rural states like West Virginia with heavy freight traffic."

The resolution of disapproval has gained significant support from various senators, including Mitch McConnell, John Thune, John Hoeven, and many others. Congressman Rick Crawford and Congressman Sam Graves are leading the effort in the House.

This joint resolution is a bipartisan effort to hold the Biden administration accountable for exceeding its authority and disregarding the needs and capabilities of individual states. The sponsors of the resolution believe that the FHWA's rule is not only illegal but also economically irresponsible.

The full text of the resolution can be found on Senator Romney's website.