Congress

The Senate commerce committee appears likely to approve next week legislation to tighten vehicle fuel economy standards, after lawmakers agreed to a bipartisan compromise that sets a strict 35-mile-per-gallon (MPG) standard while also clarifying regulators' ability to adjust the standards based on a vehicle's size and weight. However, the measure could still face hurdles on the Senate floor from Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI), who is raising concerns about new provisions that mandate annual improvements in the fuel economy of medium- and heavy-duty trucks.

Democrats and environmentalists are criticizing a recent Office of Management & Budget (OMB) memo on implementing the administration's controversial executive order giving the White House additional power to review EPA and other agencies' regulations and guidance documents.

Uncertainty surrounding the ability of potentially responsible parties (PRPs) to recover Superfund cleanup costs will likely continue regardless of how the Supreme Court rules in the just-argued suit, United States v. Atlantic Research Corp., observers say.

As a result, Congress will almost certainly have to consider the issue following the court's ruling, an option that key lawmakers and industry officials are already considering.

House Democrats are increasing pressure on the White House Office of Management & Budget (OMB) to reveal how the administration drafted a recent executive order giving the administration more power over EPA and other agencies' regulatory decisions and who was consulted in the drafting process.

Rep. Brad Miller (D-NC), who chairs the House Science & Technology oversight subcommittee, promised at an April 26 oversight hearing to request documents on the issue and to hold additional future hearings to address concerns that the order scales back transparency.