Analyses / Public Summary / 119 · SJRES 188 Public Summary

119-SJRES-188 Journalist Public Summary

119 · SJRES 188 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Coal- and Oil-Fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units: Final Repeal".

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A Senate resolution would overturn an EPA rule that rolled back parts of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards for coal- and oil‑fired power plants; backers say the move would restore stronger health protections, while opponents warn it would reinstate costly requirements, and the measure now awaits potential Senate floor consideration. (govinfo.gov)

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Published
13 May 2026
Updated
13 May 2026
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Public summary · CRA · EPA
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Public Summary for S.J. Res. 188 (119th Congress)

Headline Summary: Congress would nullify an EPA rule that repealed parts of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) for power plants, effectively restoring the stricter 2024 pollution safeguards. (govinfo.gov)

What It Does: S.J. Res. 188 uses the Congressional Review Act to disapprove the EPA’s February 24, 2026 “Final Repeal,” which scrapped three 2024 updates to MATS: tougher particulate‑matter limits (a surrogate for toxic metals), a requirement for continuous particulate monitoring at plants, and a tighter mercury limit for lignite‑fired units. If enacted, the resolution would void that repeal so the 2024 standards remain in force. (govinfo.gov)

  • Senate Democrats, led by sponsor Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D‑RI), argue the resolution restores protections against mercury and other hazardous air pollutants from power plants. (govinfo.gov)
  • Environmental and public‑health groups (e.g., NRDC, Sierra Club, Earthjustice) support blocking the repeal, citing risks of more toxic emissions and health harms, especially in communities near coal plants. (nrdc.org)
  • The Trump Administration’s EPA and allied lawmakers from coal states back the repeal as necessary to cut costs and protect grid reliability; they are likely to oppose this disapproval measure. (epa.gov)
  • Some utility interests have endorsed the repeal as reducing compliance burdens; industry trade press for public power framed the rollback as balancing affordability and reliability. (publicpower.org)

What’s Next: The resolution was introduced on April 27, 2026 and, under CRA procedures, is eligible for expedited Senate consideration after committee discharge and placement on the Senate Calendar of Business; if it passes both chambers and becomes law, EPA’s repeal would have no force or effect. As of May 13, 2026, it is awaiting potential Senate floor time. (govinfo.gov)

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