Last week, House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) sent five letters to outgoing Biden administration agency officials to ensure they comply with all record retention requirements and avoid last-minute partisan rulemaking in advance of the incoming Trump administration. The letters were sent to the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), the Indian Health Service (IHS), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI). In part, the letter to DOI read:

"In preparation for a new presidential administration and Congress, the Committee cautions DOI against finalizing partisan rulemakings in the remaining weeks of the current administration. The Congressional Review Act (CRA) authorizes Congress to disapprove rulemakings, including those finalized toward the end of the Congress. Our nation's natural resources, public lands, and DOI itself do not benefit from last-minute partisan rulemaking attempts. Thus, we encourage you to refrain from such attempts.

"During the 118th Congress, the Committee conducted numerous oversight activities and investigations related to the DOI, including the Biden administration’s efforts to shut down American energy and mineral production, the ethical issues of senior-level DOI employees, the administration’s failed border policies enabling international drug cartels to target tribal lands and migrant camps on National Park Service land, and the influence of foreign NGOs and the CCP in American energy policy, among others.

"The Committee’s activity is consistent with its obligation pursuant to Article I of the Constitution to conduct oversight of the application, administration, and execution of relevant laws, and to ensure federal agencies are properly organizing and operating under those same laws. As such, ensuring compliance with record retention requirements and the prevention of last-minute partisan rulemaking by the outgoing administration is necessary to Congress’ oversight."

Read the full letter to CEQ here, USFS here, IHS here, NOAA here and DOI here.