Senators cast their ballots on a resolution that aimed to undo a rule implemented by the Biden administration. Sponsored by Republican Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana, the measure sought to reverse a requirement from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management that mandated new offshore oil and gas leaseholders to provide an archaeological report before beginning drilling, irrespective of the project's potential impact on marine archaeology.

The regulation, finalized in September 2024, was established by the Department of the Interior and created an additional layer of oversight for offshore energy production. Supporters of the repeal argued that the rule imposed excessive costs—ranging from $10,000 to one million dollars per survey—with little practical benefit, thereby hindering energy production and contributing to rising energy prices and electricity costs.

Opponents, including a majority of Senate Democrats, contended that the regulation was a necessary environmental safeguard. Senate Republicans, however, criticized their colleagues for voting against a measure they viewed as essential to prevent further constraints on fossil fuel producers, especially in light of looming energy challenges and grid reliability problems.

In addition to the vote, Senate Majority Leader John Thune emphasized the urgency of addressing an impending energy crisis. He argued that the Democratic vote against the resolution indicated a reluctance to confront the possible consequences of their energy policies, warning that the United States could soon face significant power supply issues if current trends continued.