HOUSE PASSES H.R. 10, THE REGULATIONS FROM THE EXECUTIVE IN NEED OF SCRUTINY (REINS) ACT, TO CURB NEW BURDENSOME REGULATIONS

WASHINGTON, DEC. 7, 2011 – “Not all regulations are equal, there are those that protect our safety and keep our children healthy, and there are those that destroy jobs and deter economic growth,” said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Sixth).   “Since the great depression, Congress has delegated its lawmaking authority under the Constitution to unelected bureaucrats in federal administrative agencies.  In listening to the American people, we are restoring some of that authority to Congress so that it is responsible for the impact of these regulations.  Regulations in our nation cost $1.8 trillion a year and countless jobs, this is a step toward greater economic freedom and more jobs.”

The House today approved H.R. 10, the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act, which would require Congress to vote up or down on any major regulation with an economic impact of more than $100 million.  The President also would have to sign the regulations before it could be imposed on the American people.

“Congress should not simply pass laws and entrust to the executive branch and federal agencies with the authority to implement major regulations based upon those laws,” added Stearns.  “With greater transparency and accountability, the regulatory process will better reflect the priorities of the American people instead of bureaucrats.”