Floor SpeechBipartisan2025-05-22

PROVIDING CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 8 OF TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE, OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY RELATING TO "CALIFORNIA STATE MOTOR VEHICLE AND...

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On 2025-05-22, Senator James Lankford (R-OK) delivered a floor speech titled "PROVIDING CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 8 OF TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE, OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE ENVIRON" in the Senate.

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PROVIDING CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 8 OF TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE, OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY RELATING TO "CALIFORNIA STATE MOTOR VEHICLE AND...

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 87 (Thursday, May 22, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 87 (Thursday, May 22, 2025)] [Senate] [Pages S3102-S3105] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] PROVIDING CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 8 OF TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE, OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY RELATING TO ``CALIFORNIA STATE MOTOR VEHICLE AND ENGINE POLLUTION CONTROL STANDARDS; HEAVY-DUTY VEHICLE AND ENGINE EMISSION WARRANTY AND MAINTENANCE PROVISIONS; ADVANCED CLEAN TRUCKS; ZERO EMISSION AIRPORT SHUTTLE; ZERO-EMISSION POWER TRAIN CERTIFICATION; WAIVER OF PREEMPTION; NOTICE OF DECISION'' The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the joint resolution by title. The legislative clerk read as follows: A joint resolution (H.J. Res. 87) providing congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to ``California State Motor Vehicle and Engine Pollution Control Standards; Heavy-Duty Vehicle and Engine Emission Warranty and Maintenance Provisions; Advanced Clean Trucks; Zero Emission Airport Shuttle; Zero-Emission Power Train Certification; Waiver of Preemption; Notice of Decision''. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 802, there will now be 10 hours of debate equally divided. The Senator from Nebraska. H.J. Res. 87 Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, today, the U.S. Senate will vote on my resolution to overturn the EPA's waiver for California's Advanced Clean Trucks. First of all, I would like to thank my friend and colleague Chairman Capito for her strong leadership and work on this very important issue. This heavyhanded regulation imposes unrealistic emissions requirements for heavy-duty trucks and heavy-duty diesel engines. This government mandate handed down to vehicle manufacturers demands that they sell zero-emission trucks at an increased rate from 2024 to 2035. We aren't under any illusions as to what this means. We know that the goal is to effectively end the sale of internal combustion engines. Now, I am not here today to disparage electric vehicles, and I am certainly not here to discourage the manufacturing and the purchasing of EVs either. What I am concerned about is the Federal Government dictating which cars and which trucks are acceptable and which are not. If Americans want to drive an electric or a hybrid car, that is fine. However, the government--the government--should not pick winners and losers in the vehicle marketplace. I believe in the power of America's free markets, and I believe we should allow the markets to determine the viability of clean trucks. Here is the truth: This California waiver and subsequent regulation is simply not based in reality, and it will have real-world consequences on us. By requiring truckers to meet California's standards, even while working outside of the State, operator costs increase, fleet upgrades would be impacted, and interstate commerce would be disrupted. And American consumers would bear the brunt of increased costs. Hard-working families are already dealing with the high cost of everyday goods and services, and they cannot afford this regulation. Let me be clear. This action is necessary to stop one State from dictating emission policies for the entire country. Prior to this waiver being granted, California's own Air Resources Board readily admitted this action would extend beyond its own State borders, and several States have already followed suit. I would also like to address the eligibility of Congress disapproving rules. A few weeks ago, I questioned the Government Accountability Office Comptroller during an Appropriations subcommittee hearing. The Comptroller explicitly stated that GAO's role is just an advisory one and that it is up to us--it is up to Congress--to determine what constitutes a rule. Again, let me be clear. We are reclaiming our congressional authority under the Congressional Review Act. I will be proud for this body to vote on and pass my resolution, which is a commonsense step to keep government overreach at bay, protect consumers, and support America's free markets. With the passage of the House version of this resolution and with the passage of the Senate's version today, it will head to the President's desk to be signed into law. I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Wyoming. Capital Jewish Museum Shooting Ms. LUMMIS. Mr. President, before I talk about digital assets, I want to take a moment to remember Sarah Lynn Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, who were tragically, senselessly murdered last night at the Capital Jewish Museum. [[Page S3103]] May their memory be a blessing for their families, their friends, their community, and their faith. Let me be very clear. Anti-Semitism and this kind of hate-fueled violence have no place in our country, no place in the world. I encourage you all to join me in keeping these families in your prayers in the coming weeks. I am proud to stand in support of Israel during this time. GENIUS Act Mr. President, now I will switch to the GENIUS Act. The GENIUS Act is a watershed moment in how we approach digital finance while also preserving the institutions that have served our Nation for decades. Digital assets are the future, and it is our responsibility to ensure the United States continues to lead the way. The uncomfortable reality is that our payment system is outdated. Many of our financial rails date back to the 1970s and 1980s, before the internet transformed how we live and work. When a small business owner in Cheyenne uses a traditional payment system to send a payment to a supplier overseas, they face delays up to 10 days and 2 to 5 percent transaction fees. This isn't just inconvenient; it is a competitive disadvantage to American businesses. But digital assets change all that. Stablecoins can complete these same transactions in seconds, at a fraction of the cost, 365 days out of the year. The GENIUS Act not only revolutionizes the way we do business but preserves critical financial institutions, and they need this opportunity. For more than 150 years, our country has maintained both State- chartered and national banks. There are about 5,000 banks; 4,000 of them are chartered at the State level and only 1,000 at the Federal level. This system has been the engine for American economic growth, providing businesses of all sizes with diverse financial services tailored to local needs. In Wyoming, we have seen firsthand how State-chartered banks serve the specific needs of ranchers, energy producers, and Main Street that might otherwise have been overlooked by larger institutions. We have also seen how the dual banking system permits States, as laboratories of democracy, to thoughtfully integrate new products and services into our banking system. Wyoming and other States were the first to provide legal clarity for digital assets and show, in great detail, how they can thoughtfully be integrated into our payments and contracts. The GENIUS Act thoughtfully preserves the dual banking system by creating clear pathways for stablecoin issuance under both State and Federal oversight. The legislation also protects and builds upon Wyoming's regulatory framework for digital assets that both protects consumers and promotes responsible innovation. This legislation, the GENIUS Act, is thoughtful, and it is a balanced approach America needs to maintain and grow our influence in financial advancement, and history will remember how we capitalize on or squander this moment. American leadership in digital finance is a privilege. Let's ensure it stays in America and not Europe, not Singapore, not China. Let's lead in this innovation, this technology, this advantage to individuals and small communities. We need American values and American leadership to ensure prosperity in the next generation. Let's get the GENIUS Act passed and secure America's financial future. I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Hagerty). The Senator from Utah. Unanimous Consent Requests Mr. LEE. Mr. President, last year this body, the United States Senate, passed 41 bills from the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. And 25 of those bills have been reintroduced. They all have bipartisan support. They all have been vetted in committee. They all are ready to move. Today, I am asking that we pass four of them at the same time as a modest step forward for the kind of open, Member-driven process for which the Senate was built and has long existed. The first, from Senator King of Maine, would expand access to the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument--something that passed this body unanimously last year. The second, from Senator Cornyn of Texas, would adjust the boundaries of Big Bend National Park--again, a commonsense proposal with bipartisan support. The third, from Senator Gillibrand of New York, would establish a national historic park at Fort Ontario--the site of the only Holocaust refugee shelter in American history. And fourth, from Senator Lankford of Oklahoma, would designate the Historic Greenwood District, also known as Black Wall Street, as a national monument. The Greenwood District in Tulsa was once a thriving community of Black-owned businesses, professionals, and families until the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 tragically burned it to the ground. Hundreds were killed, and thousands were left homeless. Designating this site as a national monument is long overdue. And this month, May 31--in fact, just a few days from now--marks the anniversary of that tragic, tragic massacre. With that, Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Natural Resources be discharged and the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of the following bills en bloc: S. 282, the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument access from Senator King; S. 1051, the Historic Greenwood Distric

Referenced legislation: HJRES87, HJRES87, S282, S356, S432, S1051, S1112

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PROVIDING CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 8 OF TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE, OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY RELATING TO "CALIFORNIA STATE MOTOR VEHICLE AND... Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 87 (Thursday, May 22, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 87 (Thursday, May 22, 2025)] [Senate] [Pages S3102-S3105] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] PROVIDING CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 8 OF TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE, OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY RELATING TO ``CALIFORNIA STATE MOTOR VEHICLE AND ENGINE POLLUTION CONTROL STANDARDS; HEAVY-DUTY VEHICLE AND ENGINE EMISSION WARRANTY AND MAINTENANCE PROVISIONS; ADVANCED CLEAN TRUCKS; ZERO EMISSION AIRPORT SHUTTLE; ZERO-EMISSION POWER TRAIN CERTIFICATION; WAIVER OF PREEMPTION; NOTICE OF DECISION'' The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the joint resolution by title. The legislative clerk read as follows: A joint resolution (H.J. Res. 87) providing congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to ``California State Motor Vehicle and Engine Pollution Control Standards; Heavy-Duty Vehicle and Engine Emission Warranty and Maintenance Provisions; Advanced Clean Trucks; Zero Emission Airport Shuttle; Zero-Emission Power Train Certification; Waiver of Preemption; Notice of Decision''. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 802, there will now be 10 hours of debate equally divided. The Senator from Nebraska. H.J. Res. 87 Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, today, the U.S. Senate will vote on my resolution to overturn the EPA's waiver for California's Advanced Clean Trucks. First of all, I would like to thank my friend and colleague Chairman Capito for her strong leadership and work on this very important issue. This heavyhanded regulation imposes unrealistic emissions requirements for heavy-duty trucks and heavy-duty diesel engines. This government mandate handed down to vehicle manufacturers demands that they sell zero-emission trucks at an increased rate from 2024 to 2035. We aren't under any illusions as to what this means. We know that the goal is to effectively end the sale of internal combustion engines. Now, I am not here today to disparage electric vehicles, and I am certainly not here to discourage the manufacturing and the purchasing of EVs either. What I am concerned about is the Federal Government dictating which cars and which trucks are acceptable and which are not. If Americans want to drive an electric or a hybrid car, that is fine. However, the government--the government--should not pick winners and losers in the vehicle marketplace. I believe in the power of America's free markets, and I believe we should allow the markets to determine the viability of clean trucks. Here is the truth: This California waiver and subsequent regulation is simply not based in reality, and it will have real-world consequences on us. By requiring truckers to meet California's standards, even while working outside of the State, operator costs increase, fleet upgrades would be impacted, and interstate commerce would be disrupted. And American consumers would bear the brunt of increased costs. Hard-working families are already dealing with the high cost of everyday goods and services, and they cannot afford this regulation. Let me be clear. This action is necessary to stop one State from dictating emission policies for the entire country. Prior to this waiver being granted, California's own Air Resources Board readily admitted this action would extend beyond its own State borders, and several States have already followed suit. I would also like to address the eligibility of Congress disapproving rules. A few weeks ago, I questioned the Government Accountability Office Comptroller during an Appropriations subcommittee hearing. The Comptroller explicitly stated that GAO's role is just an advisory one and that it is up to us--it is up to Congress--to determine what constitutes a rule. Again, let me be clear. We are reclaiming our congressional authority under the Congressional Review Act. I will be proud for this body to vote on and pass my resolution, which is a commonsense step to keep government overreach at bay, protect consumers, and support America's free markets. With the passage of the House version of this resolution and with the passage of the Senate's version today, it will head to the President's desk to be signed into law. I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Wyoming. Capital Jewish Museum Shooting Ms. LUMMIS. Mr. President, before I talk about digital assets, I want to take a moment to remember Sarah Lynn Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, who were tragically, senselessly murdered last night at the Capital Jewish Museum. [[Page S3103]] May their memory be a blessing for their families, their friends, their community, and their faith. Let me be very clear. Anti-Semitism and this kind of hate-fueled violence have no place in our country, no place in the world. I encourage you all to join me in keeping these families in your prayers in the coming weeks. I am proud to stand in support of Israel during this time. GENIUS Act Mr. President, now I will switch to the GENIUS Act. The GENIUS Act is a watershed moment in how we approach digital finance while also preserving the institutions that have served our Nation for decades. Digital assets are the future, and it is our responsibility to ensure the United States continues to lead the way. The uncomfortable reality is that our payment system is outdated. Many of our financial rails date back to the 1970s and 1980s, before the internet transformed how we live and work. When a small business owner in Cheyenne uses a traditional payment system to send a payment to a supplier overseas, they face delays up to 10 days and 2 to 5 percent transaction fees. This isn't just inconvenient; it is a competitive disadvantage to American businesses. But digital assets change all that. Stablecoins can complete these same transactions in seconds, at a fraction of the cost, 365 days out of the year. The GENIUS Act not only revolutionizes the way we do business but preserves critical financial institutions, and they need this opportunity. For more than 150 years, our country has maintained both State- chartered and national banks. There are about 5,000 banks; 4,000 of them are chartered at the State level and only 1,000 at the Federal level. This system has been the engine for American economic growth, providing businesses of all sizes with diverse financial services tailored to local needs. In Wyoming, we have seen firsthand how State-chartered banks serve the specific needs of ranchers, energy producers, and Main Street that might otherwise have been overlooked by larger institutions. We have also seen how the dual banking system permits States, as laboratories of democracy, to thoughtfully integrate new products and services into our banking system. Wyoming and other States were the first to provide legal clarity for digital assets and show, in great detail, how they can thoughtfully be integrated into our payments and contracts. The GENIUS Act thoughtfully preserves the dual banking system by creating clear pathways for stablecoin issuance under both State and Federal oversight. The legislation also protects and builds upon Wyoming's regulatory framework for digital assets that both protects consumers and promotes responsible innovation. This legislation, the GENIUS Act, is thoughtful, and it is a balanced approach America needs to maintain and grow our influence in financial advancement, and history will remember how we capitalize on or squander this moment. American leadership in digital finance is a privilege. Let's ensure it stays in America and not Europe, not Singapore, not China. Let's lead in this innovation, this technology, this advantage to individuals and small communities. We need American values and American leadership to ensure prosperity in the next generation. Let's get the GENIUS Act passed and secure America's financial future. I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Hagerty). The Senator from Utah. Unanimous Consent Requests Mr. LEE. Mr. President, last year this body, the United States Senate, passed 41 bills from the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. And 25 of those bills have been reintroduced. They all have bipartisan support. They all have been vetted in committee. They all are ready to move. Today, I am asking that we pass four of them at the same time as a modest step forward for the kind of open, Member-driven process for which the Senate was built and has long existed. The first, from Senator King of Maine, would expand access to the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument--something that passed this body unanimously last year. The second, from Senator Cornyn of Texas, would adjust the boundaries of Big Bend National Park--again, a commonsense proposal with bipartisan support. The third, from Senator Gillibrand of New York, would establish a national historic park at Fort Ontario--the site of the only Holocaust refugee shelter in American history. And fourth, from Senator Lankford of Oklahoma, would designate the Historic Greenwood District, also known as Black Wall Street, as a national monument. The Greenwood District in Tulsa was once a thriving community of Black-owned businesses, professionals, and families until the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 tragically burned it to the ground. Hundreds were killed, and thousands were left homeless. Designating this site as a national monument is long overdue. And this month, May 31--in fact, just a few days from now--marks the anniversary of that tragic, tragic massacre. With that, Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Natural Resources be discharged and the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of the following bills en bloc: S. 282, the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument access from Senator King; S. 1051, the Historic Greenwood Distric Referenced legislation: HJRES87, HJRES87, S282, S356, S432, S1051, S1112