The House passed legislation Wednesday that would enable Congress to overturn, with a single vote, executive branch regulations finalized in the last 60 legislative days of an outgoing presidential administration.
“This is about accountability, transparency and ensuring job creators aren’t being crushed by droves of new regulations just before a President leaves office. Regulations, when necessary, should be implemented with time for a thorough public vetting and input from those impacted,” said California Republican Rep. Darrell Issa, lead sponsor of the bill, in a statement. “I’m thrilled at the House’s quick passage of my bill and look forward to it becoming law so we can start the process of removing unnecessary regulations and helping Americans get back to work.”
The Obama administration pushed through $44 billion worth of “midnight regulations” from various federal agencies immediately after Donald Trump was elected president last month. RELATED: Obama Publishes $7.4 BILLION Worth Of Regulations In One Night
Federal agencies may have mandated a record number of major regulations in 2016, The Daily Caller reported. The Obama administration imposed 100 new regulations just last month — twice the monthly average for 2016.
“The quick passage of the Midnight Rules Relief Act exemplifies our dedication to provide the American people with real, actionable solutions. Burdensome regulation is one of the greatest hindrances to growing jobs and the economy. Specifically, regulations rushed in at the last minute without proper oversight can cause significant damage to business,” Republican Pennsylvania Rep. Tom Marino said. “As I have said before, Washington cannot continue to fund reckless regulation on the backs of hardworking Americans. I am proud of the swift movement by the House on this legislation and encourage my colleagues in the Senate to act in the same, expeditious manner.”
The bill specifically amends the Congressional Review Act to permit Congress to retrieve the ability to effectively curb numerous regulations crammed through the regulatory process in the last days of an outgoing administration all at once. The legislation is designed to stifle a growing trend by presidents to use their final few months in office to hurry through costly, expensive or controversial new regulations.