U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) today released this statement after the House finished the week of the 115th Congress passing two bills to rein in government overregulation. H.R. 26, the REINS Act, gives Congress, and ultimately the constituents they represent, a vote on major regulations put forth by federal agencies and H.R. 21, the Midnight Rules Relief Act, makes it easier for Congress to repeal last-minute regulations by outgoing administrations.
“For far too long, unelected bureaucrats at federal agencies have been able to issue major regulations without approval from Congress,” said Davis. “These bills simply provide more oversight over regulations that could have a significant impact on our economy and the millions of unemployed and underemployed Americans. Federal bureaucracy has only grown over the last eight years and it’s time to rein it in.”
H.R. 26, the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act:
• Requires agencies to submit major regulations to Congress for approval.
• Guarantees no major regulation becomes effective until Congress approves them.
• Guarantees fast up or down votes on major rules—Congress must act within 70 legislative days.
H.R. 21, the Midnight Rules Relief Act:
• Allows regulations that qualify under the Congressional Review Act to be considered by Congress en bloc as opposed to one regulation at a time.