Congress Moves to Block BLM's Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Decision, Hitting Pause on Arctic Drilling Plans

This joint resolution is a direct legislative veto. It uses a specific mechanism—the Congressional Review Act (CRA), found in Chapter 8 of Title 5 of the U.S. Code—to nullify a recent administrative rule. Specifically, it targets the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) “Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Record of Decision.” In plain English, this means the BLM’s plan to move forward with oil and gas leasing in a specific, environmentally sensitive Arctic region is being stopped dead in its tracks by Congress.

The Veto Button: What the CRA Does

Think of the CRA as a legislative kill switch. When an agency like the BLM issues a major rule, Congress has a limited window to pass a joint resolution of disapproval. If passed and signed, that rule is treated as if it never existed and the agency is typically barred from issuing a similar rule in the future. This resolution is simple and direct: it states that the BLM’s rule relating to the Coastal Plain leasing program “shall have no force or effect.” This is powerful because it allows Congress to overturn an executive branch decision quickly without going through the lengthy process of creating entirely new legislation.

Arctic Drilling: A Policy Reversal

For those invested in energy policy and public lands, this resolution is a major setback for resource extraction. The BLM’s Record of Decision was the final step needed to implement a program for oil and gas leasing in the Coastal Plain area—a part of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) that has been hotly debated for decades. By nullifying this decision, the resolution ensures that the status quo remains: no new leasing or drilling activity authorized by that specific BLM plan will proceed. For the oil and gas companies that were preparing bids and planning infrastructure, this resolution immediately pulls the rug out from under those investment plans, effectively halting their access to the area.

Who Feels This Change?

If you work in the energy sector, particularly for a company focused on Arctic resource development, this resolution translates into immediate uncertainty and lost opportunity. The companies that invested time and money preparing for the leasing program now face a hard stop. On the flip side, for environmental and conservation groups, this is a significant win. It preserves the current protected status of the Coastal Plain, preventing industrial development and maintaining the habitat for wildlife, including caribou and polar bears, at least for the time being. The impact here is a direct policy shift: less oil production potential, more environmental protection.

The Bigger Picture: Congressional Power Play

Using the CRA is always a notable move because it highlights the friction between the legislative and executive branches over regulatory power. While the immediate effect is halting a drilling plan, the broader implication is that Congress is asserting its authority to override complex administrative decisions. For everyday people, this matters because it shows how quickly major policy shifts regarding public lands and resource use can happen, often reversing years of planning with a single vote. It’s a reminder that even the most complex agency rules can be undone by a focused legislative effort, making the regulatory landscape much less stable for industry and potentially more responsive to environmental concerns.