In a recent House Oversight Committee hearing, Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) attempted to assert her knowledge on environmental regulations but was ultimately corrected by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan and fellow committee member Dan Goldman (D-NY). The hearing, held on July 10, 2024, focused on “the Biden administration’s push of excessive environmental regulations and abuse of environmental protection authorities.”
During the session, Boebert directed a pointed question at Regan: “I’m asking about the EPA and I’m asking about your rogue bureaucrats that have enacted these unconstitutional regulations. Are you going to repeal them? Are you going to continue to implement them, or are you going to stop altogether?” Boebert’s question referenced the Supreme Court’s recent decision to overturn the Chevron deference, which made it easier to challenge federal agency rules and regulations in court. However, her question misrepresented the ruling’s implications.
Regan, appearing puzzled, responded, “Do you understand the ruling?” to which Boebert shot back, “Do you understand the ruling of the Supreme Court?” Regan clarified, “I do, and so your question is ill-formed.” He further explained that the EPA would not repeal any existing regulations because the Supreme Court’s ruling did not necessitate such actions. His laughter underscored his incredulity at Boebert’s misunderstanding.
Later in the hearing, Dan Goldman stepped in to elucidate the court’s decision for Boebert. He explained that the Loper Bright ruling, which overturned the Chevron deference, stated that “the courts should not defer to agency rulemaking if a statute is ambiguous. Instead, the courts get to determine what the statute means. That would not require any regulations to be reversed or overturned.”
Boebert’s exchange with Regan and Goldman quickly became a topic of ridicule on social media. Comments ranged from “Stay in school, people,” to “Why Colorado? Why??,” and “She is dumber than a box of Boeberts.” One user even noted, “Boebert getting smacked down by Dan Goldman made my day! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥”
The incident highlighted a significant gap in Boebert’s understanding of recent legal decisions and underscored the need for careful preparation before questioning experts in public hearings. As the committee continues its oversight activities, it remains to be seen whether Boebert will take this lesson to heart and improve her grasp of the issues at hand.
Yikes… Boebert just walked into a fact check by Goldman pic.twitter.com/WSPwSbyyJE
— Acyn (@Acyn) July 10, 2024