Mississippi Gulf News

Congressman Mike Ezell announced that his Congressional Review Act (CRA) joint resolution, aimed at reversing the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's (BOEM) rule on offshore drilling restrictions, has passed the U.S. House of Representatives with 221 Yeas, 202 Nays, and 1 Present. The resolution now moves to President Trump's desk for consideration.

The Senate version of this resolution was introduced by Senator John Kennedy and Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith and received bipartisan support last week.

"Congress has taken a decisive step to protect American energy independence and support our workers," said Ezell. "By overturning Biden's BOEM's overreaching rule, we are unleashing our nation’s vast resources... I look forward to President Trump taking swift action to sign this resolution into law."

Senator Hyde-Smith expressed optimism about further policy changes: “House passage of our resolution of disapproval moves us another step forward in overturning Biden’s regulatory assault on oil and gas production in the Gulf."

Senator Kennedy echoed these sentiments: “In waging war on oil and gas producers, the Biden administration drove up prices for families... I am proud to see that the House passed my resolution..."

Erik Milito, President of NOIA, criticized the BOEM archaeological rule as unnecessary bureaucracy: "The industry has led the way in... protection of marine archaeological sites... Congress should act swiftly through the CRA to repeal the rule..."

Thomas Pyle, President of American Energy Alliance, also opposed the BOEM rule: "Under President Biden... make production more difficult... We support Congress in its efforts to reverse this burdensome regulation..."

The BOEM rule imposed limitations on offshore oil and gas activities. Critics argued it hindered domestic energy production. Ezell's resolution aims to nullify these restrictions while balancing economic and environmental factors.

The Congressional Review Act allows Congress to review federal regulations issued by agencies. If signed by the President, a disapproved rule is voided, preventing reissuance without explicit congressional authorization.