Washington, D.C. - Today, Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, released the statement below after the Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a legal opinion finding that President Obama's proposed carbon pollution standards for new power plants are not reviewable by Congress under the Congressional Review Act until the rulemaking process has been completed.
Senator Boxer said: "GAO's legal opinion that the Congressional Review Act does not apply to proposed federal agency rules is the correct decision. The Congressional Review Act was not intended to cover proposed rules because it would be so disruptive to the regulatory process. GAO's legal opinion ensures that the public will be able to comment and fully participate in the rulemaking process, including the President's proposals on limiting dangerous carbon pollution."
