"For the third time in four years, a House panel has approved legislation to revamp U.S. EPA's handling and evaluation of the scientific research that undergirds key regulations.

This time, however, one of the sponsors expressed optimism that the two bills will be signed into law, courtesy of the new Trump administration.

"I think prospects have improved," House Science, Space and Technology Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) said in a brief interview this morning after his committee approved H.R. 1430 and H.R. 1431 on party-line votes."

Sean Reilly reports for Greenwire March 9, 2017. [2]