House overturns Biden truck pollution rule

The House voted on Tuesday to overturn a Biden truck pollution rule, teeing up an expected White House veto.

The vote was 221-203. 

The Biden rule in question, which aims to cut pollution from heavy-duty trucks, would be expected to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides by 50 percent in the year 2045. These pollutants can worsen respiratory health conditions like asthma and long-term exposure to them can contribute to the development of respiratory infections.​​

Proponents point to the rule’s expected health benefits; it is expected to reduce premature deaths each year, saving 2,900 lives in 2045. Truck manufacturers, however, have said that the rule will be difficult to implement and Republicans have argued that higher costs on the industry could worsen inflation. 

The Senate recently approved the same resolution to overturn the rule, meaning the House action sends it to the president’s desk. But, the White House said at that time that if the resolution made it to President Biden, he would veto it. 

It is one of a series of regulations, including several environmental ones, that Congress has sought to overturn since Republicans took the House majority. While Democrats still hold a majority in the Senate, they have had defections on the past resolutions, particularly from more centrist members of their caucus.