Congress moves to erase truck emissions rules, blocking cleaner air
H.J.Res. 26 — Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles-Phase 3". · Filed by Russ Fulcher (R-ID) · Introduced Jan 22, 2025 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This is a Congressional Review Act resolution that would nullify the EPA's Phase 3 heavy-duty vehicle emissions standards rule (finalized April 2024). If passed, the rule requiring stricter greenhouse gas emissions from trucks and buses would be erased and have no legal force. The resolution is a one-sentence procedural tool that reverses an executive agency regulation without debate on the merits.
Why we flagged it
This is a straightforward Congressional Review Act disapproval resolution targeting EPA environmental regulation. It uses the CRA's fast-track procedure to overturn a finalized rule without amendment or debate, a mechanism designed for regulatory rollback.
What the text implies
- CRA disapprovals are permanent: if this passes, the EPA cannot re-issue substantially the same rule without new Congressional authorization, effectively locking in deregulation for years.
- Phase 3 standards were designed to reduce particulate matter and NOx emissions alongside greenhouse gases; nullification removes co-benefits for respiratory health in communities near highways and ports.
The full analysis lists 4 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers (Volvo, Daimler, Paccar, Navistar); trucking and logistics companies; diesel engine manufacturers