# Plain Language Summary: Congressional Disapproval of NEPA Regulations

Congress is voting on whether to reject new environmental review rules that the federal government recently created. These rules, called the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Implementing Regulations Revisions, were updated by the Council on Environmental Quality to change how the government reviews the environmental impact of major projects.

When the federal government approves big projects—like building highways, dams, pipelines, or approving mining operations—it's required by law to study how those projects might affect the environment and communities. The new rules change how thorough those studies need to be and how long the review process takes. If Congress passes this bill, it would cancel those new rules and go back to the old environmental review process that was in place before.

This matters because environmental reviews can slow down or stop projects that might harm air quality, water, wildlife, or public health. Supporters of the bill say the new rules make reviews too quick and don't protect the environment enough. Opponents say the new rules cut unnecessary red tape and help projects get approved faster. Either way, this vote determines whether major development projects will face stricter environmental scrutiny or move through approval more quickly.

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Council on Environmental Quality relating to "National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Regulations Revisions".

Graves, Garret

This joint resolution nullifies the final rule issued by the Council on Environmental Quality titled National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Regulations Revisions and published on April 20, 2022. The rule restores regulatory provisions issued under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) that were in effect before being modified in 2020 by the Update to the Regulations Implementing the Procedural Provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act rule.