Legislation to repeal a rule introduced by the Biden administration, which imposed additional costs on offshore drilling, has passed in Congress.
Using the Congressional Review Act, Republican representatives succeeded in overturning several regulations finalized by former President Joe Biden in the final months of his presidency. The repeal gained momentum over the week, with votes in both the House and Senate rescinding a range of energy and financial regulations.
On Thursday, the most recent vote passed the House of Representatives, eliminating a requirement for new oil and gas leaseholders on the U.S. outer continental shelf to submit an archaeological report before commencing offshore drilling. The Senate approved the repeal last week, and the measure is now poised to reach President Donald Trump’s desk for approval.
“This is a major step toward unleashing American energy, lowering costs, and undoing the damage of the Biden-Harris administration,” said House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain.
The vote passed 221-202, with nine Democratic representatives joining the Republican majority. One Republican voted against the measure, while one abstained.
This repeal marks the second significant step in favor of the oil and gas industry, following the elimination of an Environmental Protection Agency regulation that imposed a fee on methane emissions from oil and gas producers. That measure also passed both chambers of Congress last week.