Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration, challenging a new greenhouse gas reporting measure imposed by the federal Department of Transportation. The measure requires the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to establish a declining carbon dioxide target for transportation as a performance measure for the Interstate and National Highway System. The federal government argues that this mandate is necessary to achieve the administration's goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to reach net-zero across the economy by 2050.
However, Attorney General Paxton argues that the Department of Transportation lacks the authority to implement such a rule. He asserts that the mandate violates the Administrative Procedure Act and is arbitrary and capricious. Furthermore, Paxton contends that the rule violates the Spending Clause by restricting the use of federal funds, as it requires TxDOT to implement the greenhouse gas measure.
In a statement, Attorney General Paxton criticized the Biden administration for bypassing the Constitution and implementing policies without proper authorization. He said, "When Biden unleashes unlawful climate mandates that hurt our country, Texas is here to stop him."
The lawsuit filed by Paxton seeks to challenge the overreach of the Biden administration and halt the enforcement of the transportation emissions rule. Texas is taking a stand against what it perceives as unconstitutional actions by the federal government, highlighting the importance of upholding the rule of law.
To read the filing submitted by Attorney General Paxton, click here.
To learn more, click on this link: https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/attorney-general-ken-paxton-sues-biden-administration-overreaching-transportation-emissions-rule