No Passes for Polluters Act of 2026

Summary

Requires Congress to approve certain narrow exemption authorities in the Clean Air Act before the President, EPA Administrator, or other federal officers may use or extend them. It creates new reporting and review steps, including a detailed presidential "special message," Comptroller General review, monthly Federal Register reporting, one‑year limits and periodic reconsideration of exemptions, expedited congressional procedures for approval or disapproval, and a private right of action when a covered exemption is used without an enacted joint resolution. Also removes and renumbers an existing paragraph in Clean Air Act section 112(i), changing the set of procedural requirements that previously governed some exemptions and updating internal cross‑references so the statute reads consistently with the new congressional-approval framework.

• Requires Congress to enact a joint resolution before certain Clean Air Act exemptions can be used or extended.
• Mandates a detailed presidential "special message" to Congress and GAO before exemptions take effect and public Federal Register disclosure.
• Directs the Comptroller General to review proposed exemptions and report whether they are consistent with statutory authority.
• Limits exemption terms (one‑year terms and periodic reconsideration) and narrows executive/agency discretion on timing and extensions.
• Creates expedited congressional procedures (discharge, debate limits, no amendments) for joint resolutions on exemptions.
• Adds a private right of action to sue the United States or officials who use a covered exemption without an enacted joint resolution.
• Repeals and renumbers a paragraph of CAA section 112(i), changing procedural cross‑references and the set of rules that govern some exemptions.
• Requires monthly cumulative reporting in the Federal Register of transmitted special messages and GAO notifications.
• Does not appropriate funds or change tax law but raises administrative, legal, and political implications for agencies and regulated entities.