WASHINGTON — When House Republicans overwhelmingly voted to overturn two regulations on the energy industry, two New Jersey lawmakers dissented.
Reps. Frank LoBiondo (R-2nd Dist.) and Chris Smith (R-4th Dist.) were two of only nine House Republicans to vote no on repealing regulations on coal companies designed to protect streams and drinking water supplies. The measure passed, 228-194. The other three House Republicans from New Jersey voted yes and all seven House Democrats opposed it.
“The congressman’s views on the environment and protecting natural resources is at times at odds with his colleagues,” said LoBiondo’s chief of staff, Jason Galanes. “This is one of those times.”
N.J. lawmaker deviates from party line
The votes taken Wednesday marked the first of several efforts by House Republicans to use the Congressional Review Act to overturn environmental regulations enacted in the closing months of President Barack Obama’s administration.
“While many regulations can be burdensome and overreaching, others — including those that help protect our drinking water, improving water quality and public health — are critical to the wellbeing of all citizens, especially children,” Smith said.
The Senate on Thursday voted to repeal the stream rule and began debate on the SEC rule. President Donald Trump is expected to sign both if they reach his desk.
The actions would benefit the biggest contributors to Trump’s campaign committee and support industries whose employees overwhelmingly favored Republican candidates in the last election.
The energy industry spent $166 million on the 2016 elections, with 80 percent of campaign donations going to Republicans, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a Washington-based research group.
In announcing the rule in December, the Interior Department said the rule would protect 6,000 miles of streams and 52,000 acres of forests by preventing mining activities that would harm streams, drinking water sources and forests. In addition, companies would have to restore mined areas once their activities ended.
Republicans said it would cost coal miners their jobs.
Besides voting no on that issue, Smith was one of only four House Republicans who dissented on legislation that would allow publicly traded U.S. energy companies to keep secret the money they pay to foreign governments. The measure would repeal a Securities and Exchange Commission rule.
While proponents claimed it would put American oil companies at a disadvantage, foreign competitors such as BP and Shell already are required by the European Union to disclose such payments.
That bill passed, 235-187. The rest of the New Jersey delegation split along party lines.
Among the beneficiaries of the repeal effort was Exxon Mobil Corp., whose chief executive, Rex Tillerson, was confirmed as U.S. secretary of state.
LoBiondo and Smith have broken away from Republicans on other issues as well. LoBiondo twice voted against House GOP budget plans that cut food stamps and other social programs. The two lawmakers were two of just three House Republicans who bucked their party and opposed efforts to overturn federal regulations that made it easier for workers to form unions.
Last year, LoBiondo was the member of the state’s delegation least likely to follow the party line, according to a vote study conducted by Congressional Quarterly.
Earlier this week, the House by voice vote passed two pieces of Homeland Security legislation sponsored by New Jersey lawmakers.
Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (D-10th Dist.) would allow first responders to use federal funds for new equipment even if voluntary industry standards have not been set.
A bill sponsored by Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-12th Dist.) would improve record-keeping for purchases by the Homeland Security Department over $300 million in an effort to cut down on cost overruns and make sure the equipment does what it’s supposed to do.
Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook
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