Hultgren Co-Sponsors Bill to Hold Government Agencies Accountable for Cost of Regulation

Press Release

U.S. Representative Randy Hultgren (IL-14) has co-sponsored H.R. 5513, the PROVE IT (Providing Retrospective Observations Validating Economics and Increasing Transparency) Act of 2016, which would require federal government agencies to provide regular and public evaluations of the impact of major regulations on Americans and the economy.

"Under our current regulatory regime, government agencies institute mandates on individuals and businesses with little accountability for what it will cost those Americans and our economy. Once the damage is done, it is Americans which are left holding the bag while agencies avoid responsibility for their poor policies. Americans rightfully reject such an unaccountable and ineffective federal government," said Rep. Hultgren. "If the federal government believes their mandates are good for the country, they must "PROVE IT': agencies should be required to assess the impact of all major rulemakings every two years, inform Congress of any unanticipated consequences of the original rule and create outlets for input from all stakeholders. Government agencies should be open to hearing how a regulation will affect Americans, and change course if the regulation's negative effects are clear."

Many large regulations--which in many cases exceed projected costs--force businesses to spend time and money on compliance rather than raising wages or creating more job opportunities. Since 2009, more than 200 major rules--those having an annual effect of $100 million or more--have been handed down by the President's administration with estimated implementation costs in the billions of dollars.

Representative Hultgren has regularly supported bills that seek to free Americans from government regulation and increase accountability in the law making process, including:

His own bill, H.R. 2010, the Regulatory Review and Sunset Act, which establishes a process by which federal agencies can "sunset" obsolete, duplicative and conflicting regulations that weigh on American businesses and families.
H.R. 427, the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2015, which would require Congress to approve all new major regulations, thus strengthening accountability and transparency in government.
H.R. 4956, the End Executive Overreach Act, which would restrict federal funds from being used to carry out an executive order issued after the act.

Source