Lubbock Congressman Votes to Overturn Biden-Era Green New Deal Policies

U.S. House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) of Lubbock voted in favor of three Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolutions that would overturn several Biden administration land management rules. Supporters say these measures are intended to protect U.S. energy production, lower costs for consumers, and reduce reliance on foreign energy sources.

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The Congressional Review Acts

The three resolutions passed by the House target recent Bureau of Land Management (BLM) resource management plans:

• H.J. Res. 104: Nullifies a BLM rule that banned coal leasing across Montana’s Powder River Basin, which holds nearly 30% of the nation’s recoverable coal reserves.

• H.J. Res. 105: Reverses restrictions in North Dakota that limited coal development on 99% of its land and closed off 44% of federally owned oil and gas acreage.

• H.J. Res. 106: Removes restrictions on 13.3 million acres in Alaska’s Central Yukon, potentially opening the door for development of the Ambler Access Project and the Alaska LNG Pipeline.

Arrington’s Position

Arrington said the Biden administration’s policies weakened American energy security by limiting domestic production, canceling pipelines, and halting leasing on federal lands. He argued that reversing the policies “defends American workers, restores responsible land management, and ensures our nation is energy independent—not reliant on China, Russia, or OPEC.”

Broader Context

According to federal data, Texas remains one of the nation’s top energy-producing states, with both oil and wind energy playing major roles in the economy. The debate in Washington reflects broader national tensions between expanding renewable energy resources and maintaining traditional fossil fuel production.

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Critics of the Biden-era rules argue that limiting coal, oil, and gas production increases costs for U.S. consumers and hurts local economies tied to energy jobs. Supporters of the rules say they are necessary to reduce carbon emissions, address climate change, and shift toward more sustainable energy sources.

What’s Next

The three resolutions now move to the Senate, where they will face additional debate. Even if passed, they could be subject to a presidential veto.

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For residents in West Texas, the outcome may have long-term implications for the region’s energy sector, property rights, and economic landscape.