Information about the vote from special interest groups and other information providers in our Report Cards:
FreedomWorks
On Passage: H.J.Res. 38 - Resolution of Disapproval Against the Department of the Interior's Stream Protection Rule.
This resolution of disapproval of the Congressional Review Act nullifies the Department of the Interior's Stream Protection Rule. With an annual estimated cost of $81 million, according to the Department of the Interior's Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, the Stream Protection Rule is another blow to the coal industry, which was a favorite target of the Obama administration. The National Mining Association estimates that rule will lead to billions of dollars in lost revenues to state and local governments, as well as the loss of between 113,000 and 280,000 jobs.
National Taxpayers Union
h2017-73.
h2017-73.
League of Conservation Voters
EXTREME ASSAULT ON THE STREAM PROTECTION RULE (CRA).
Representative Bill Johnson (R-OH) sponsored H.J. Res. 38, the Congressional Review Act “Resolution of Disapproval” of the Stream Protection Rule, which would threaten the drinking water and public health of communities living near coal mining operations by permanently blocking the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) Stream Protection Rule. This important rule set commonsense requirements for coal mining to better protect groundwater, surface water, and ecosystems from toxic coal mining waste, which has been linked to increased rates of cancer, birth defects, and other health problems in nearby communities. The rule protects 6,000 miles of streams and 52,000 acres of forests, sets up new requirements for water quality monitoring and restoration, and generally compels coal mining companies to reduce their impact on the surrounding environment. This use of the Congressional Review Act, an extreme legislative tool, would not only overturn the current rule, but would prohibit DOI from ever issuing “substantially similar” regulations in the future. The House approved H.J. Res. 38. The Senate passed H.J. Res. 38 and President Trump signed this resolution into law.
Citizens Against Government Waste
Stream Protection Rule Disapproval – Passage.
Passage of the joint resolution that would nullify an Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement rule that requires surface coal mining operations, to the extent possible, to avoid disturbing streams and land within 100 feet of the streams. The rule also includes provisions related to data collection and restoration and requires native trees and plants to be used to replant reclaimed mine sites.
The John Birch Society
Stream Protection Rule.
This legislation (House Joint Resolution 38) would disapprove of and nullify the “Stream Protection Rule” issued by the Department of the Interior’s Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement in 2016. This new rule would “jeopardize thousands of coal and coal-related jobs, devastate coal producing communities, and put a majority of the country’s coal reserves off limits,” according to the bill’s lead sponsor, Representative Bill Johnson (R-Ohio).
The House passed H.J. Res.38. This group supported this legislation not only because the federal government has no constitutional authority to issue environmental regulations, but also because environmental regulations such as the “Stream Protection Rule” destroy jobs and increase energy costs. Also, states already protect streamwater.
The National Association of Manufacturers
HJRES38 Resolution of Disapproval of the Stream Protection Rule.
Vote on H. J. Res. 38, providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Department of Interior known as the Stream Protection Rule, introduced by Representatives Bill Johnson (R-OH), Evan Jenkins (R-WV) and David McKinley (R-WV). The resolution restores the previous buffer rule that has protected streams since 1983. Under current law, the stream protection rule does not balance reasonable environmental objectives with the need for manufacturers to have a diverse fuel portfolio, including continued cost-effective coal use.