[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 79 (Wednesday, May 10, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S1579]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                     Congressional Review Act Votes

  Mr. President, now on another matter, tomorrow, Senate Republicans 
will create two more opportunities to hit the brakes on runaway 
regulation. Thanks to the efforts of the junior Senator for Wyoming and 
the junior Senator for Oklahoma, we will consider two more resolutions 
under the Congressional Review Act.
  Senator Mullin's resolution targets a decision by the Fish and 
Wildlife Service to ``uplist''--``uplist''--a creature called the 
northern long-eared bat as an endangered species. This designation 
would have massive repercussions for landowners, businesses, and 
infrastructure projects across as many as 37 of our 50 States. More 
than 3,000 infrastructure and development projects are currently in 
limbo--3,000 infrastructure and development projects currently in 
limbo--waiting for the extra environmental consultations that the 
Endangered Species Act will require if this case of uplisting is 
allowed to stand.
  And get this: The Biden administration itself admits that the recent 
declines in the population of this particular bat are due mostly to 
fungal disease, not human development.
  I don't care how long this bat's ears are--it can't get veto power 
over 37 State economies. Senator Mullin's resolution will prevent this 
absurdity.
  The second resolution, sponsored by Senator Lummis, targets the Biden 
administration's attempt to make a sweeping change to the very 
definition of the word ``habitat'' in Federal law. The last Republican 
administration adopted a clear and explicit legal definition which gave 
builders, landowners, and small businesses some certainty and peace of 
mind, but President Biden has let the far-left throw all of that into 
chaos. Now American families and businesses could be facing decreased 
property values and predatory legal challenges if they wind up on the 
wrong side of Democrats' moving the goalpost. Senator Lummis's 
resolution will reintroduce certainty and common sense.
  I would urge every Senator to support both measures later this week.