The Senate minority warns against overriding the parliamentarian.
Members of the Senate majority have expressed interest in revoking California’s environmental waivers, which could have dramatic consequences for the legislative body.
California has had legal waivers for federal environmental policy that were approved by President Biden’s Government Accountability Office (GOA) which allow the state to enforce stricter environmental laws than federally mandated. Senate Majority Leader John Thune is considering invoking the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to challenge the GOA’s ruling.
“We’re still looking at that,” Senator Thune stated, saying he has about a week to decide what to do.
Invoking the CRA would require the approval of parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough, the referee of the Senate. Members of the Senate minority wrote a letter warning that overriding the parliamentarian will likely override a number of other key Senate procedures.
“[S]uch an action would be a procedural nuclear option — a dramatic break from Senate precedent with profound institutional consequences,” Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and other senators wrote.
They added that “once that precedent is set, a future Senate Majority could subsequently apply it to legislation beyond the CRA. Put bluntly, there is no cabining a decision to overrule the Parliamentarian.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Majority Leader Thune and his colleagues as they consider options to revoke the environmental waiver.
- For wisdom for members of the Senate as they deliberate actions and motions on the upper chamber floor.
Sources: Politico, Axios
