Over 140 GOP Conference members sign on as original cosponsors
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Kat Cammack announced the introduction of the Regulations from the Executive In Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2023.Â
This bill would reassert Congress’ legislative authority and prevent excessive overreach by the executive branch in the federal rulemaking process. It would require every new “major rule” proposed by federal agencies to be approved by both the House and Senate before going into effect. The bill would also preserve Congress’ authority to disapprove of a “nonmajor rule” through a joint resolution.
The REINS Act would define a “major rule” as any federal rule or regulation that may result in: an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, individual industries, government industries, government agencies, or geographic regions; or significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises.
“During the first year of this administration, the Biden White House added more than $200B in new regulatory costs,” said Rep. Cammack. “These new regulations cost the American taxpayers over $2T per year in compliance costs and economic losses without the proper oversight from the legislative branch. The REINS Act is a core part of House Republicans’ mission to reintroduce government accountability and to restore Congress’ role to check the regulatory actions of federal agencies. I’m grateful to the overwhelming support of my colleagues on this bill and look forward to seeing it pass the House this Congress.”
“For too long, Washington bureaucrats have been empowered to create rules that cost our nation hundreds of millions of dollars,” said House Majority Whip Tom Emmer. “We are proud to join Representative Cammack in this effort to make these unelected regulators answer to Congress.”
“For the last two years, President Biden and progressive Democrats have imposed harmful regulations on the American people,” said Rep. Jim Jordan, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. “The REINS Act will place a much-needed check on unelected bureaucrats. It’s time for Congress to reclaim its lawmaking authority, and this bill is an important first step toward ending the Biden Administration’s radical overreach.”
“Unnecessary government regulations and excessive red tape impose crushing economic burdens on Kentuckians and Americans across this country,” said Rep. James Comer, Chairman of the House Oversight & Accountability. “Since President Biden took office, his administration and unchecked bureaucrats are full steam ahead on enacting a radical, far-left agenda through executive action. I am proud to support Representative Cammack and her legislation to ensure federal rulemakers no longer bypass Congress. Americans deserve a voice in the federal rulemaking process and have suffered from significant and costly regulations for far too long.”
Rep. Cammack first introduced this bill in March 2021 during the 117th Congress. You can read more about the bill in the exclusive Fox News article by Brianna Herlihy here.
By Congresswoman Kat Cammack
