Earlier today, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) sent the below letter to the Senate to oppose today’s CRA on the Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution S.J. Res. 61, which would undo the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA’s) final rule setting a national performance management measure for greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, LCV and state affiliates Georgia Conservation Voters and Illinois Environmental Council signed onto a coalition letter opposing the CRA.

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April 10, 2024 

United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510 

Re: Oppose S.J. Res. 61 disapproving of FHWA’s final rule on greenhouse gas emissions performance measure 

Dear Senator: 

The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) believes that everyone has a right to clean air, clean water, accessible public lands, and a safe climate protected by a just and equitable democracy. Each year, LCV publishes the National Environmental Scorecard, which details the voting records of members of Congress on environmental legislation. The Scorecard is distributed to LCV members, concerned voters nationwide, and the media.   

LCV urges you to vote NO on the Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution S.J. Res. 61, which would undo the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA’s)  final rule setting a national performance management measure for greenhouse gas emissions.  The FHWA’s final framework provides transparent and uniform, yet flexible, guidance to states on how to track the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions impacts of their transportation investments.  

States and Metropolitan Planning Organizations are  modernizing and strengthening their transportation systems by leveraging Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) investments, and having a transparent and consistent way to measure associated GHG emissions is critical. . The FHWA’s GHG performance measure can facilitate reducing pollution in the most efficient way possible, while providing flexibility for states to set non-binding emissions reduction targets and deliver the most benefits for their constituents.  

The transportation sector is the largest source of climate pollution in the U.S., contributing 29% of all GHG emissions. IRA and IIJA funds provide states much-needed resources to tackle such pollution by investing in public transit, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and mixed-used transit oriented development. The FHWA’s final rule helps states to measure and maximize benefits to their communities.  

S.J. Res. 61 is a misguided attack on FHWA’s GHG emissions performance measure that supports good-governance and helps tackle climate change. Rolling back this measure would also set a dangerous precedent for thwarting other critical environmental and public health protections.  

We urge you to REJECT S.J. Res. 61, the CRA resolution aiming to overturn the FHWA’s Greenhouse Gas Performance Measure rule finalized earlier this year. We will strongly consider including vote(s) on this legislation in the 2024 Scorecard.  If you would like more information, please reach out to a member of our government relations team.   

Sincerely, 

Gene Karpinski
President