Bills of Congress by U.S. Congress

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Record of Decision.

Summary

This document is a joint resolution passed by the Senate and House of Representatives to disapprove a rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) regarding the Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Record of Decision. The resolution utilizes the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to nullify the BLM's decision. The original rule, issued on December 9, 2024, concerns oil and gas leasing in the Coastal Plain.

Expected Effects

If enacted, this resolution would prevent the BLM's Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Record of Decision from taking effect. This would halt any planned oil and gas leasing activities in the specified area. This action would maintain the status quo regarding energy development in the Coastal Plain.

Potential Benefits

  • Could protect the Coastal Plain's environment and wildlife.
  • May prevent potential negative impacts on indigenous communities that rely on the area's resources.
  • Aligns with climate change mitigation efforts by limiting fossil fuel development.
  • Could preserve the natural beauty and ecological integrity of the region.
  • Reinforces congressional oversight of executive agency actions.

Potential Disadvantages

  • May limit potential economic benefits from oil and gas development, such as job creation and revenue generation.
  • Could reduce domestic energy production, potentially increasing reliance on foreign sources.
  • May hinder efforts to achieve energy independence.
  • Could lead to increased energy costs for consumers.
  • Potentially sets a precedent for frequent congressional intervention in agency rule-making.

Constitutional Alignment

This resolution is an exercise of Congress's legislative powers, as granted by Article I, Section 1 of the Constitution, which vests all legislative powers in Congress. The Congressional Review Act (CRA), under which this resolution is brought, is intended to provide a check on the executive branch's regulatory actions, ensuring that agencies do not overstep their authority. The resolution itself does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or protections.

Impact Assessment: Things You Care About

This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).