Hinds Today

U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith from Mississippi was present at the White House on Friday as President Trump signed congressional resolutions aimed at repealing two energy rules established during the Biden administration. These actions are seen as a move to bolster American oil and gas production.

The first resolution, S.J.Res.11, was introduced by U.S. Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana with support from Hyde-Smith. It seeks to overturn a Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) rule that limits oil and gas activities on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). U.S. Representative Mike Ezell from Mississippi sponsored the corresponding resolution in the House.

Hyde-Smith expressed her approval, stating, "President Trump promised to restore America’s energy might and by signing these resolutions of disapproval he helps Congress reset policy in a way that encourages offshore oil and gas production." She added her appreciation for being part of the signing ceremony.

Senator Kennedy commented on the impact of regulations, saying, "Burdensome regulations hurt oil and gas producers’ ability to provide affordable energy and jobs to Americans."

Representative Ezell emphasized the significance of this action for American energy independence: "This is a great day for American energy independence and for the hardworking men and women who power our nation."

The BOEM rule targeted by S.J.Res.11 required new leaseholders on the OCS to submit extensive archaeological reports before beginning production, which critics argued hindered development.

In addition to S.J.Res.11, President Trump signed H.J.Res.35/S.J.Res.12, which nullifies a section of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act imposing a methane emissions fee—referred to as the Biden Natural Gas Tax—on various aspects of petroleum and natural gas operations.

Hyde-Smith has been an original cosponsor of this second resolution through her role on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

These resolutions represent initial steps in what Hyde-Smith hopes will be broader efforts by Congress to dismantle regulations enacted during Biden's presidency that she views as burdensome.

The Congressional Review Act provides Congress with authority to revoke federal agency regulations via joint resolutions of disapproval. Once both houses pass such a resolution and it receives presidential approval or survives a veto override attempt, it invalidates said regulation.