In a historic regulatory rollback, Congressional Republicans used the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to eliminate 22 Biden-era rules in 2025—more than any Congress since 1996—targeting electric vehicle mandates, coal restrictions, Alaskan energy bans, and banking fees, while saving Americans an estimated $180 billion, according to a Daily Caller News Foundation report.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
WASHINGTON — Republicans in Congress closed out 2025 with a landmark achievement: repealing a record 22 regulations enacted under former President Joe Biden, using the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to dismantle rules that restricted fossil fuel production, phased out gas-powered cars, and limited consumer financial access. The unprecedented rollback—the most since the CRA’s 1996 inception—marks a dramatic shift in federal policy, with President Donald Trump’s approval sealing the fate of Biden’s progressive agenda.
“By reining in Biden’s heavy-handed bureaucrats, we are saving Americans $180 billion,” Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-WY) declared on Dec. 17. “That’s over $2,000 in savings for every family.”
Here are five of the most consequential regulations Republicans erased in 2025:
1. The Death of California’s Gas-Powered Car Ban
In May, Republicans overturned a Biden-era waiver allowing California—and any state adopting its standards—to ban new gas-powered cars by 2035. The GOP also rescinded two related rules:
- A mandate for zero-emission heavy-duty trucks.
- A de facto ban on diesel engines.
Critics, including some Democrats, argued the EV mandate would destroy auto industry jobs and limit consumer choice. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) warned: “These job losses won’t be confined to California—they’ll spread across the nation.”
Trump had campaigned aggressively against EV mandates, framing them as elitist policies that hurt working-class Americans.
2. Reviving Coal in America’s Top Production Region
In October, Republicans voted to repeal a Biden rule blocking coal leasing in the Powder River Basin—a 40-million-acre region spanning Montana and Wyoming that produces over 40% of U.S. coal.
Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) called the rule a “midnight regulation” with no local support: “The American people have rejected the left’s radical climate hysteria. Removing this rule protects our energy dominance and national security.”
The GOP also overturned a separate Biden restriction on Wyoming coal leases in November.
3. Unlocking Alaska’s Energy Potential
In December, Trump signed two CRA resolutions to reverse Biden’s Alaska energy bans:
- A 13-million-acre leasing block in Central Yukon.
- Restrictions on drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).
Rep. Nick Begich (R-AK) hailed the move as a win for national security: “When we unlock Alaska, we strengthen America’s energy independence. These bills are part of a long-term strategy to ensure America—not China—controls our supply chains.”
Alaska’s tribal communities and congressional delegation had vehemently opposed the Biden rules, arguing they devastated local economies.
4. Stopping the CFPB’s Overdraft Fee Crackdown
In spring 2025, Republicans repealed a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) rule capping overdraft fees at $5—down from the $35 average.
Critics, including Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), warned the rule would cut off credit for low-income Americans, forcing them toward predatory payday lenders: “The CFPB’s price controls would have reduced access to financial services and left more Americans unbanked.”
The banking industry had also challenged the CFPB’s authority to regulate checking accounts.
5. Blocking Costly Appliance Regulations
In May, Trump approved two CRA resolutions to kill Biden-era energy rules targeting:
- Walk-in coolers and freezers (costing businesses $1 billion).
- Commercial refrigerators.
Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-OK) argued the rules would crush small businesses: “This regulation would have been crippling, especially in rural areas.”
Republicans also nixed a Department of Energy rule banning certain gas water heaters by 2029.
A Regulatory Revolution—or a Temporary Victory?
The GOP’s 2025 CRA blitz—22 regulations repealed, $180 billion saved—represents the most aggressive use of the tool since its creation. But progressive groups warn the fight isn’t over.
“The Biden administration’s climate and equity rules were designed to protect consumers and the planet,” said one environmental advocate. “Republicans may have won this round, but the push for green energy and financial fairness will continue.”
For now, Trump and the GOP are celebrating a year of deregulation—one they say puts America’s economy, energy independence, and consumer freedom first.
“We’re restoring common sense,” Barrasso said. “And we’re just getting started.”
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