Legislation Repealing Offshore Drilling Rule by Biden Administration Passes Congress

A recent legislation aimed at repealing a rule that added costs to offshore drilling, imposed by the Biden administration, has successfully passed through Congress.

The legislation, brought forth by representatives from the Republican party, utilized the Congressional Review Act to rescind certain regulations that were put in place by former US president Joe Biden towards the end of his tenure.

Throughout the week, multiple votes in both the House and Senate led to the repeal of several energy and financial-related regulations.

The most recent successful vote in the House of Representatives on Thursday resulted in the repeal of a requirement mandating new oil and gas leaseholders on the US outer continental shelf to submit an archaeological report before commencing offshore drilling production. The Senate had already approved the vote last week, and it is now awaiting President Trump’s signature.

House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain expressed, “This is a major step towards unleashing American energy, lowering costs, and undoing the damage of the Biden-Harris administration.”

The vote passed with a margin of 221-202 to repeal the rule, with even nine representatives from the Democratic party joining the Republican majority. Only one Republican voted against the repeal, with another abstaining.

This marks the second successful vote benefiting the oil and gas industry, following the elimination of an Environmental Protection Agency regulation that charged oil and gas producers a fee on methane emission leaks. This vote also passed through both chambers of Congress last week.