Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Jason Chaffetz is one of the chairs on the Task Forces on Reducing Regulatory Burdens and Restoring Constitutional Authority. This is part of a broader effort led by Speaker Ryan to develop a bold, pro-growth agenda to offer Americans an alternative direction for the country. The Task Forces will release their findings in the coming months. For more information visit better.gop.
RESTORING REGULATORY BURDENS:
Mission Statement – Make it easier to invest, produce and build in America with a modern and transparent regulatory system that relieves the burden on small businesses and other job creators and encourages financial independence, while balancing environmental stewardship, public safety, and consumer interests.
Principles –
1. Ensure federal regulations are a last resort and minimally intrusive.
2. Fully consider the many benefits of increased domestic energy production in regulations.
3. Efforts to reduce, control, and remediate pollution should achieve real environmental benefits and be compatible with job creation and economic growth.
4. Incorporate the strongly positive trends in environmental quality and public health in recent decades into the regulatory decision-making process.
5. Empower Americans to achieve financial independence.
6. Protect taxpayers from paying for more Wall Street bailouts.
7. Demand accountability from financial regulators and financial institutions.
8. Unleash opportunities for small businesses, innovators, and other job creators.
9. Ensure agencies follow current laws to assess and mitigate the impact of new and existing regulations on small businesses.
10. Ensure that our legal system is efficient and fair and that wasteful abuses of it are not allowed.
RESTORING CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY:
Mission Statement – Restore appropriate balance among the branches of government as our Founding Fathers intended by reasserting the unique constitutional role of Congress, which represents the voices of the American people. In order to achieve this goal, the Restoring Constitutional Authority Task Force shall seek to prevent abuse of power by the executive branch, promote limited government and protect states’ powers, and ensure government transparency and accountability.
Policy Goals – Develop new tools and strengthen and effectively utilize existing tools to: reform the rulemaking process; reestablish and enforce limits on agency authority; exercise the power of the purse; and conduct more robust oversight of agency regulation, enforcement practices, and waste, fraud and abuse.
THE NEXT PHASE OF THE BETTER WAY ROLLOUT
This week, Republicans will add planks on economic growth and self-government to A Better Way, a bold agenda to tackle some of our country’s biggest challenges.
On Tuesday, members of the Task Force on Reducing Regulatory Burdens will release a plan aimed at making it easier to work, invest, produce, and build things in America. In the afternoon, Republicans will lead a press conference to mark the unveiling near the West Front of the Capitol. On Thursday, Republicans will mark the unveiling of a plan aimed at restoring self-government and the separation of powers in National Statuary Hall, which served as the Hall of the House from 1807-1857.
“All of us—not government—should have the biggest role to play in our lives,” Speaker Ryan said. “That’s what these next two planks in our agenda are about. Regulations should serve to help, not hinder the workers and risk-takers at the heart of our economy. And after decades of executive overreach, it is time we restore self-government and the separation of power. This is a better way to uphold our Constitution and preserve the pursuit of happiness.” These are the third and fourth planks of A Better Way. Last week, Republicans unveiled initiatives aimed at lifting people out of poverty and keeping the American people safe. Two additional planks—health care and tax reform—are yet to be announced. Learn more at better.gop.
THE ECONOMY
When: Tuesday, June 14, 3:00-3:30 p.m. ET
Where: West Front Lawn of the U.S. Capitol
What: Press conference
Who: Speaker Paul Ryan, Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Majority Whip Steve Scalise, members of the Task Force on Reducing Regulatory Burdens
Media details: This event is open to members of the media only—media must display Capitol Hill press credentials. All media interested in attending must RSVP to Molly Edwards (molly.edwards@mail.house.gov) by 5:00 p.m. Monday, June 13th. All media with equipment must be in place by 2:00 p.m. for the security sweep.
THE CONSTITUTION
When: Thursday, June 16, 9:30-10:30 a.m. ET
Where: National Statuary Hall, United States Capitol
What: Member event unveiling a plan to restore self-government
Who: Speaker Paul Ryan, Republican Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, members of the Task Force on Restoring Constitutional Authority
Media details: This event is open to credentialed members of the media only. All media with equipment must be in place by 8:30 a.m. for the security sweep.