House votes to delay EPA ‘boiler’ regulations

Prior to the resounding 275-142 vote, lawmakers engaged in hearty debate with some Democrats like Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass.) arguing that repealing the rules would literally result in the death of thousands of Americans.

“If the regulation to remove mercury, lead and cancer-causing toxins from incinerators and industrial boilers, which is already 11 years overdue, is delayed for even one year, there will be 6,600 people who will die prematurely, and people will miss 320,000 days of work and school,” said Markey.

“Pass this bill and you sentence hundreds of thousands to asthma attacks and a lifetime of health complications,” Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) echoed.

Meanwhile Republicans, who prevailed in the vote, argued that the complicated set of rules in “Boiler MACT” were onerous and would cost the economy billions of dollars in added costs at a time it can least afford it.

The House adjourned just after 10 p.m. on Thursday night.

This story was updated at 10:30 p.m.