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Senator McConnell Introduces Measure to Overturn EPA’s Regulation on New Coal-Fired Plants

‘Senators in both parties are saying enough is enough...It’s the beginning of a new front to defend hardworking Middle Class Americans from massive regulations that target them’

October 27, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) introduced a resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) designed to stop the Obama Administration from imposing its anti-coal regulation on new coal-fired plants. Senator McConnell also joined Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) in filing a separate CRA that relates to the regulation affecting existing coal-fired plants.

The Obama Administration’s costly power plan regulations were published in the Federal Register on Friday. A CRA provides Congress the ability to eliminate onerous regulations imposed by the executive branch through an expedited procedure for consideration in the Senate.

Senator McConnell plans to schedule votes on the CRAs later this year. If both CRAs are enacted into law, they would nullify both pillars of the costly power rule even if portions of the plan have already gone into effect.

Earlier today, Senator McConnell spoke about the measures on the Senate floor:

“The Obama Administration recently published massive energy regulations that won’t do a thing to meaningfully affect global carbon levels.

“It won’t make any noticeable difference to the global environment.

“But it will ship more Middle-Class jobs overseas. It will punish the poor. It will make it even harder for coal families in states like Kentucky to put food on the table.

“In other words, it’s facts-optional extremism wrapped in callous indifference.

“Senators in both parties are saying enough is enough.

“We’ve filed bipartisan measures that would allow Congress to overturn these two-pronged regressive regulations.

“I joined Senator Heitkamp, a Democrat, and Senator Capito, a Republican, on a measure that would address the prong that pertains to existing energy sources.

“Democratic Senator Manchin joined me as I introduced a measure that would address the prong that pertains to new energy sources.

“Together, these measures represent a comprehensive solution. Colleagues will join me to speak about these resolutions later today. I’m sure they’ll say more about the measures we’ve filed and the process associated with them.

“What everyone should know is this.

“The publication of these regulations does not represent an end, but a beginning. It’s the beginning of a new front to defend hardworking Middle Class Americans from massive regulations that target them.

“That front is opening here in Congress, and it’s opening across the country as states file lawsuits and Governors stand up for their own Middle Class constituents.

“The battle may not be short or easy. But Kentuckians and hardworking Americans should know that I’m going to keep standing up for them throughout.”

Senate Moving Towards Passage of a Bipartisan Cybersecurity Bill

October 26, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today previewing the week ahead:

“Last week, Senators voted overwhelmingly to advance legislation that will help to protect the privacy of their constituents.

“Experts say the tools in the bipartisan cybersecurity bill the Senate voted to advance can help prevent future attacks through the sharing of information between the public and private sectors. The legislation’s voluntary information-sharing provisions are key to protecting the personal information of the people we represent. The bill has also been carefully examined by Senators of both parties and contains important measures to protect civil liberties and individual privacy.

“I again thank the Chair and Vice Chair of the Intelligence Committee for their hard work on this bipartisan bill.

“We will consider a variety of amendments from both sides of the aisle tomorrow. After that, we can take a final vote on the underlying bill.

“So that will be the Senate’s initial focus this week. I’ll have more to say about it tomorrow.

“In the meantime, we also know that fiscal negotiations are ongoing. As details come in, and especially if an agreement is reached, I intend to consult and discuss the details with colleagues.”

McConnell Will File Measure to Overturn EPA’s Regulation on New Coal-Fired Plants

Senator Capito to file measure regarding EPA regs for existing plants

October 23, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced Friday that he and Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) will file a resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) next week that is designed to stop the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from imposing its anti-coal regulation on new coal-fired plants. Senator McConnell also plans to join Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) who will file a separate CRA next week with Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) regarding the regulation to cut carbon emissions from existing coal-fired plants.

The Obama Administration’s costly power plan regulations were published in the Federal Register today. A CRA provides Congress the ability to eliminate onerous regulations imposed by the executive branch through an expedited procedure for consideration in the Senate.

Once the resolutions are filed, Senator McConnell is expected to schedule votes on the CRAs to stop these devastating EPA anti-coal rules. These regulations make it clearer than ever that the President and his Administration have gone too far, and that Congress should act to stop this regulatory assault. If both CRAs are enacted into law, they would nullify both pillars of the costly power rule even if portions of the plan have already gone into effect.

“Here’s what is lost in this Administration’s crusade for ideological purity: the livelihoods of our coal miners and their families. Folks who haven’t done anything to deserve a ‘war’ being declared upon them. These are Kentuckians who just want to work, provide for their families, and deliver the type of low-cost energy that attracts more jobs to Kentucky. And coal is what allows so many of them do all that. It provides well-paying jobs and keeps the lights on,” Senator McConnell said. “I have vowed to do all I can to fight back against this Administration on behalf of the thousands of Kentucky coal miners and their families, and this CRA is another tool in that battle. The CRAs that we will file will allow Congress the ability to fight these anti-coal regulations.”

The Obama Administration’s costly power plan will consist of two major phases of implementation:

• First, the finalized regulation would limit the construction of new coal-fired plants. This portion of the costly power plan would effectively ban coal-fired power plants from being built in the future, thus, eliminating the future potential for coal jobs in America.

• Secondly, the Administration has proposed and finalized a regulation to cut greenhouse gas emissions from existing power plants. In effect, this regulation will result in the closures of coal-fired plants throughout the country.

For all the harm that the costly power plan will cause, the Administration’s final regulations are not even expected to reduce emissions in a meaningful way. What the plan will do, however, is trigger a section of law that would allow the Administration to eventually shut down coal-fired plants that already exist today, and prevent the construction of any new coal-fired plants in the future. In other words, it could allow the Administration to achieve its true aim of eliminating coal jobs completely.

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