A New Legal Challenge

With less than two weeks remaining in his presidency, President Biden finds himself embroiled in yet another legal confrontation. Utah Attorney General Sean D. Reyes and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, both Republicans, are spearheading a lawsuit against the Biden administration over new energy-efficient housing standards. They contend these regulations not only threaten affordable housing but also surpass the limits of federal authority.

The Context of the Lawsuit

This legal action is not an isolated event; it reflects a broader trend of late-term lawsuits and complaints directed at the Biden White House in its final days. Notably, this marks Paxton’s 103rd lawsuit aimed at challenging the Democratic administration, solidifying his reputation as a central figure in the opposition against Biden’s policies.

In a recent interview with Fox News Digital, Paxton expressed his frustrations, stating, “I don’t know if anybody’s close to that, but he’s kept us busy because we’ve had to prevent him from being more of a king or a dictator than an elected executive who is responsible for implementing, not creating, laws.”

Coalition of States Unite Against Biden

The lawsuit is backed by a coalition of states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia, alongside the National Association of Home Builders. This alliance argues that the Biden administration’s energy standards are not only burdensome but also overreach federal authority.

Energy Costs and Housing Standards

Reyes criticized the outgoing Biden administration’s stance, saying, “Even as our nation prepares to transition to a new administration, the outgoing HUD and USDA offices are committed to inflicting unwanted and unneeded cost increases on Americans who are already struggling.” He emphasizes that these energy standards only add financial strain for families attempting to navigate a challenging economic landscape.

While the Biden administration claims these rules will result in long-term savings by promoting energy-efficient homes, critics highlight that the initial costs can be prohibitive, restricting options for potential buyers.

Legal Authority Under Scrutiny

A significant component of the lawsuit questions the legality of the Biden administration’s authority in enforcing these energy efficiency rules. The attorneys general argue that the administration is improperly relying on private organizations—specifically the International Code Council—to set standards that extend beyond the original legislative intent.

As Biden’s energy agenda continues to incite controversy, he recently signed an executive order that bans new drilling and any further oil and natural gas development within over 625 million acres of U.S. coastal and offshore waters.

Political Ramifications

The response to Biden’s renewed focus on environmental regulations has been swift. The press secretary for former President Trump condemned the move, calling it “disgraceful,” and framed it as a politically motivated act against the American people, who, according to her, gave Trump a mandate to increase drilling and lower gas prices. “Rest assured, Joe Biden will fail, and we will drill, baby, drill,” Karoline Leavitt asserted on social media.

Ongoing Pressure from Republican AGs

Throughout Biden’s presidency, a group of more than a dozen Republican attorneys general has kept the administration on its toes. Recently, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, in concert with over twenty others, urged special counsel Jack Smith, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to dismiss their cases against President-elect Trump, warning of potential constitutional crises.

In November, Paxton escalated his battle against the Biden administration by filing a lawsuit against the DOJ, aiming to prevent the possible destruction of records related to Smith’s investigation into Trump.

Awaiting a Response

In light of these ongoing legal challenges, Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comments but did not receive a response by the time of publication. As the time ticks down on the Biden administration, the question remains whether these legal skirmishes will influence the transition to a new administration and reshape the regulatory landscape for energy in the near future.