Senate GOP plots to erase Biden's final moves

Source: axios

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has a "fairly lengthy list" of last-minute Biden regulations that Republicans may try to undo in the coming weeks, he told Axios. The Congressional Review Act (CRA) gives Congress until mid-May to reverse what Republicans are calling the "midnight rules" of the Biden administration. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) will kick things off next week by introducing three resolutions to erase Biden moves on crypto, energy and internet access. "We are scrubbing right now to determine what is eligible," Thune said at an event at the American Petroleum Institute earlier on Tuesday.

How it works: CRA resolutions have to pass with majority votes in both chambers of Congress. Those votes can only happen 15 legislative days into a new Congress — the power won't be available until late January or early February. The window for action closes 60 sessions into the new Congress.

Flashback: In early 2017, Trump and congressional Republicans used CRA resolutions to erase 16 Obama administration rules. In 2021, Biden and congressional Democrats returned the favor and repealed three Trump rules.

What they're saying: Cruz, who chairs the Commerce committee, told Axios that he is confident that his three resolutions will pass. He expects the process to move "expeditiously" after he files next week. One resolution would rescind a December regulation by the Energy Department that regulated gas water heaters. Another would undo an IRS rule — finalized last month — that has sparked outrage in crypto circles. The rule requires more reporting on income earned in cryptocurrencies. Sens. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) — who chairs the new crypto subcommittee— Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) are cosponsors. Cruz's final target is a FCC regulation that allow schools and libraries to lend Wifi hotspots to students through the E-Rate program. Cruz argued it violates the Communications Act, increases taxes and "opens up children to real risks of abuse" with no limits on their broadband usage.



Read more: https://www.axios.com/2025/01/16/senate-congressional-review-act-biden-thune