Share Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler has said a new rule will improve scientific transparency, but critics disagree. Al Drago/Pool via AP Trump’s new rule restricting EPA’s use of certain science could have short life Jan. 6, 2021 , 12:45 PM President Donald Trump’s administration yesterday finalized a controversial rule that would make it more difficult for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to use major health studies to guide pollution regulations. But the new rule—which has been fiercely opposed by the scientific community—could have a short life. The apparent victory by Democrats yesterday in two Senate races in Georgia is expected to give the party control of the U.S. Senate, and lawmakers could use a rarely invoked law to revoke the rule by a simple majority vote.