Senate Republicans Plan Aggressive Assault on Biden-Era Regulations

Senate Republicans are gearing up to launch a focused effort to overturn regulations implemented by the Biden administration, leveraging the Congressional Review Act (CRA) as their primary tool.

With their House counterparts still determining strategies for border security and tax reform, Senate GOP leaders are prioritizing the dismantling of Biden-era policies in the first few weeks of the new Congress.

The CRA provides a streamlined pathway for Congress to repeal recently implemented federal regulations. However, its use is limited by a strict 60-session-day deadline, requiring swift action to bypass procedural obstacles like filibusters.

GOP lawmakers are planning to target rules finalized by the Biden administration since mid-summer, including controversial regulations on climate, cryptocurrency, and anti-money laundering.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune confirmed discussions are underway to prioritize which regulations to address first. “We’re talking through what some of the eligible CRAs might be,” Thune said, emphasizing the importance of identifying high-priority rules to repeal.

Republicans in the Senate have identified at least 60 Biden-era rules eligible for repeal under the CRA. Among the regulations being considered are safety standards for nursing pillows, a phasedown of hydrofluorocarbons, and requirements for reporting ozone-depleting substances.

Additional targets include a rule allowing Qatari citizens to travel visa-free to the U.S. for 90 days and IRS regulations mandating brokers to report gross proceeds from cryptocurrency sales.

Senate Commerce Committee Chair Ted Cruz has specifically criticized the IRS regulation, calling it an attack on the pro-crypto policies of the previous Trump administration.

Other Republicans, such as Senator Roger Marshall, are compiling lists of last-minute Biden rules they view as detrimental to the nation’s economy and security.

The urgency of the GOP’s deregulatory push is tied to the procedural protections provided by the CRA. If resolutions disapproving of Biden’s regulations are not introduced within the 60-day session window, they lose their filibuster-proof status.

Senate Whip John Barrasso stressed the importance of quick action, stating, “We’re very confident that President Trump will want to sign every one that we can pass.”

Despite the CRA’s procedural advantages, Republicans face challenges in narrowing down their targets. Senate Steering Committee Chair Mike Lee acknowledged the difficulty of focusing on the most impactful regulations, given the sheer volume of eligible rules.

“It’s a big conversation,” Lee said, noting the need to account for any additional rules Biden might finalize before leaving office.

Biden has signed several executive orders in recent weeks, including a ban on offshore oil and gas drilling in key regions and measures addressing 3D-printed guns. While not all of these actions fall under the CRA, they have added fuel to Republican criticisms of Biden’s last-minute policymaking.

Senator Marshall labeled these actions as a “slap in the face” to Trump supporters, accusing Biden of burdening the economy with unnecessary debt.

Senate Republicans are also coordinating closely with the incoming Trump administration to ensure smooth implementation of their deregulatory agenda.

The first priority, however, remains confirming Trump’s Cabinet nominees, a task GOP leaders hope to complete swiftly.

Trump is scheduled to meet with Senate Republicans to discuss their legislative strategy, including CRA resolutions. The meeting, hosted by Senator Shelley Moore Capito, will focus on aligning efforts to repeal Biden’s regulations while advancing new GOP priorities.

As Republicans prepare for this legislative blitz, the broader implications of their actions could reshape regulatory policy in the United States. Their success will depend on balancing speed and precision in targeting Biden’s rules while maintaining party unity in a tightly controlled Senate.