©2025 League of Conservation Voters
2017 Scorecard Vote
228
194
10
Issues
Representative Bill Johnson (R-OH) sponsored H.J. Res. 38, the Congressional Review Act “Resolution of Disapproval” of the Stream Protection Rule, which would threaten the drinking water and public health of communities living near coal mining operations by permanently blocking the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) Stream Protection Rule. This important rule set commonsense requirements for coal mining to better protect groundwater, surface water, and ecosystems from toxic coal mining waste, which has been linked to increased rates of cancer, birth defects, and other health problems in nearby communities. The rule protects 6,000 miles of streams and 52,000 acres of forests, sets up new requirements for water quality monitoring and restoration, and generally compels coal mining companies to reduce their impact on the surrounding environment. This use of the Congressional Review Act, an extreme legislative tool, would not only overturn the current rule, but would prohibit DOI from ever issuing “substantially similar” regulations in the future. On February 1, the House approved H.J. Res. 38 by a vote of 228-194 (House roll call vote 73). NO IS THE PRO-ENVIRONMENT VOTE. The Senate passed H.J. Res. 38 on February 2 and President Trump signed this resolution into law on February 16.
©2025 League of Conservation Voters