Center for Regulatory Freedom Weekly Update: Climate Rules, Intelligence Oversight, Education Data, Seabed Mining, and Veterans’ Health Policies

This week, the Center for Regulatory Freedom (CRF) submitted comments on proposed regulatory changes across multiple federal agencies, advocating for sound science, legal clarity, and reduced government overreach. CRF challenged the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) extension of oil and gas climate rule deadlines, criticized the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) for risky revisions to damage assessment records, supported the Department of Education’s (ED) alignment of civil rights data with biological sex while critiquing its narrow definitions, endorsed streamlined seabed mining rules from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) with reservations, and backed the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) reinstatement of abortion-related exclusions in veterans’ health benefits.

CRF weighed in on the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and National Counterintelligence and Security Center’s (NCSC) revisions to the Damage Assessment Records system. The group expressed alarm that the changes overstep the boundaries of legitimate security oversight, potentially politicizing intelligence operations. CRF linked these revisions to the previous administration’s Mar-a-Lago investigation, warning that they could enable political weaponization and excessive disclosure of records. CRF urged ODNI to either revise or rescind these provisions to prevent misuse and restore confidence in intelligence processes.

CRF responded to the Department of Education’s (ED) proposed changes to the Civil Rights Data Collection. The group endorsed the removal of “gender identity” categories, aligning data collection with biological sex as outlined in Executive Order 14168. However, CRF raised concerns about ED’s overly narrow definition of “rape,” which they argue excludes cases of sexual coercion and underreports civil rights violations. This critique reflects CRF’s broader push for precise and accurate frameworks in federal data collection to ensure comprehensive protection of civil rights.

CRF addressed two distinct proposals from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). On NOAA’s deep seabed mining reforms, CRF praised efforts to streamline licensing and enhance U.S. competitiveness in critical mineral extraction but criticized the steep $350,000 application fee, redundant environmental reviews, excessive paperwork, and NOAA’s overly broad discretionary authority. Regarding the VA’s proposal to reinstate exclusions on abortion and abortion counseling from veterans’ health benefits, CRF offered strong support, viewing it as a correction to the Biden Administration’s 2022 interim rule. CRF emphasized that the change upholds statutory integrity and conscience protections while maintaining emergency care exceptions, reinforcing public trust in the VA’s mission.

CRF’s recent comments reflect its unwavering commitment to challenging federal regulatory overreach and advocating for policies rooted in sound science, legal clarity, and individual liberties. From environmental regulations to veterans’ healthcare, CRF remains steadfast in its mission to promote regulatory freedom. By scrutinizing federal proposals and advocating for reforms that protect constitutional rights and public trust, CRF remains a steadfast defender of Americans' liberties.