Congress must approve air-quality passes before they start.

What it does

The bill says the President must ask Congress first. The President wants to use three types of air passes. These passes are under the Clean Air Act. Congress votes on whether to allow each pass. The vote needs two-thirds of both chambers to pass. The bill also removes one old pass. It let companies delay following hazardous air rules. People and groups can sue if the President uses passes without Congress saying yes.

Who it affects

The President and government agencies lose power to use certain air passes on their own. Congress gains the power to approve or reject them. People and groups gain the right to sue. Companies that pollute may face stricter rules.

One thing to notice

The bill moves control of air passes from the President to Congress. People and groups can now take the government to court if passes are used without Congress approving them.

From the analysis of the bill text, linked under Primary records below.

Where it stands

20 cosponsors: 20 Democrats.

• Jul 21, 2026 — Introduced · Congress.gov: “Introduced in House”
• Jul 21, 2026 — Referred to House Committee on Rules and House Committee on Energy and Commerce · Congress.gov: “Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to…”

Dates and quoted wording are Congress.gov's action record; the timeline shows status changes, not every procedural step.

Words to know

• pass — A rule that lets someone skip a requirement that normally applies to everyone.
• Clean Air Act — A law that sets rules to keep air clean and protect people's health.
• hazardous air — A substance in the air that can harm people's health or the world.