Dozens of House members introduced legislation on Monday aimed at curbing regulatory emissions from the Environmental Protection Agency, which many Republicans see as a source of dangerous rules that threaten to harm economic growth and job creation.
The bill is a reaction to the EPA's latest rule, which would require power plants to cut their carbon emissions by 30 percent in 25 years.
After the EPA announced regulations curbing carbon emissions, Republicans are looking to curb the EPA's regulatory emissions. Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Rep. David McKinley (R-W.Va.) proposed the Protection and Accountability Regulatory Act, along with 66 other House Republicans and one Democrat, Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.). The bill would nullify the EPA's new carbon emissions rule for existing power plants, as well as the EPA's January rule that applies to new plants.
And it would stop the EPA from issuing similar rules on power plants for five years.
"America needs to wake-up to what these regulations mean for our economy and our future," McKinley said. "That is why we are raising the alarm and continuing to fight this plan at every turn."
McKinley argued that China and other countries are the biggest problems when it comes to carbon emissions caused by burning coal. Republicans say the EPA's new rule would to reduce global carbon emissions because of countries like China.
Republicans said last week that the EPA's new rule is a job-killer at a time when millions of Americans are still looking for work, and raise electricity prices on middle class families at a time of stagnant wages. House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) called the proposal "nuts."
But GOP leaders have not yet said whether they'll hold a vote on McKinley's bill.
In the Senate, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has proposed legislation that would delay the EPA rule until the government certifies it won't hurt jobs, electricity prices or electricity delivery. Last week, however, Senate Democrats blocked passage of that bill.
