S.J. Res. 139 (119th)Bill Overview

For congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Air Plan Disapproval; Colorado…

Environmental Protection|Environmental Protection
Cosponsors
Support
Democratic
Introduced
Mar 19, 2026
Discussions
Bill Text
Current stageCommittee

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 364.

Introduced
Committee
Floor
President
Law
Congressional Activities
01 · The brief

This joint resolution under the Congressional Review Act would nullify the Environmental Protection Agency’s final rule titled “Air Plan Disapproval; Colorado; Regional Haze Plan for the Second Implementation Period” (91 Fed.

Reg. 3048, Jan 26, 2026).

If enacted, the EPA rule would be declared to have no force or effect, effectively overturning the agency’s disapproval of Colorado’s regional haze implementation plan.

Passage35/100

Narrow and procedurally advantaged under the CRA, but politically contentious and requires congressional majorities plus executive approval.

CredibilityAligned

Relative to its intended legislative type, this joint resolution is succinct and well-constructed: it clearly identifies the targeted EPA rule, cites the relevant statutory vehicle (chapter 8 of title 5), and provides the standard disapproval remedy. It omits fiscal discussion, contingency/transition language, and oversight provisions, but those elements are not typically expected for a single-rule CRA disapproval.

Contention65/100

Progressives emphasize environmental and public-health risks

02 · What it does

Who stands to gain, and who may push back.

Who this appears to help vs burden50% / 50%
Federal agencies · Local governmentsFederal agencies
Likely helped
  • Federal agenciesPreserves state regulatory control over Colorado's regional haze plan, avoiding federal replacement.
  • Local governmentsAvoids new federal emissions mandates or FIPs that might impose compliance costs on local industries.
  • Targeted stakeholdersReduces near-term regulatory uncertainty for utilities and industries in Colorado.
Likely burdened
  • Federal agenciesUndermines EPA enforcement of Clean Air Act visibility requirements and federal accountability.
  • Targeted stakeholdersCould prolong inadequate controls on emissions that cause visibility impairment in protected areas.
  • Targeted stakeholdersMay negatively affect public health by delaying stricter emissions reductions.
03 · Why people split

Why the argument around this bill splits.

Progressives emphasize environmental and public-health risks
Progressive15%

Likely opposes the resolution because it overturns an EPA disapproval of a state regional haze plan, which liberals view as an enforcement tool to protect air quality and public health.

They will see Congress nullifying EPA action as weakening federal environmental safeguards and harming affected communities.

Likely resistant
Centrist50%

Ambivalent: the centrists see tradeoffs between state primacy and the need for federal oversight to meet regional haze goals.

They would seek more information on EPA’s technical reasons and concrete air-quality impacts before deciding support.

Split reaction
Conservative80%

Likely supports the resolution because it blocks an EPA disapproval and defends state prerogative against federal overreach.

Conservatives will view this as protecting local control and reducing regulatory burdens on industry and state governments.

Leans supportive
04 · Can it pass?

The path through Congress.

Introduced

Reached or meaningfully advanced

Committee

Reached or meaningfully advanced

Floor

Still ahead

President

Still ahead

Law

Still ahead

Passage likelihood35/100

Narrow and procedurally advantaged under the CRA, but politically contentious and requires congressional majorities plus executive approval.

Scope and complexity
24%
Scopenarrow
24%
Complexitylow
Why this could stall
  • Whether congressional majority will support overturning EPA's action
  • Likely presidential signing or veto decision
05 · Recent votes

Recent votes on the bill.

06 · Go deeper

Go deeper than the headline read.

Included on this page

Progressives emphasize environmental and public-health risks

Narrow and procedurally advantaged under the CRA, but politically contentious and requires congressional majorities plus executive approval.

Unlocked analysis

Relative to its intended legislative type, this joint resolution is succinct and well-constructed: it clearly identifies the targeted EPA rule, cites the relevant statutory vehicle (chapter 8 of title 5), and provides t…

Go beyond the headline summary with full stakeholder mapping, legislative design analysis, passage barriers, and lens-by-lens tradeoff breakdowns.

Perspective breakdownsPassage barriersLegislative design reviewStakeholder impact map
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