Rein in the "Fourth Branch" and Stop Job-Killing Regulations
Press Release
As President Obama, Nancy Pelosi and their allies continue to ram through their job-killing agenda, the tangled web of federal bureaucracy and red tape grows larger each day. Regulations coming from this "fourth branch" of government are a hidden tax and cost businesses over $1.1 trillion in compliance last year.
Some of the 4,000 new rules and regulations issued each year can have a devastating effect on the economy by placing burdensome restrictions on individuals and businesses. These regulations carry the force of law, but are not required to have the specific approval of Congress.
Representative Geoff Davis (R-KY) introduced a bill that would require Congress to consider and vote on new rules and regulations that would create an economic impact exceeding $100 million. Congressman Bobby Bright (D-AL) has not signaled his support for this effort to stop out-of-control and unaccountable regulatory agencies.
"I support putting the responsibility of legislating back in the hands of elected officials, who can be held accountable by their constituents," said Martha Roby, Republican nominee for Alabama's Second Congressional District. "This bill addresses the massive economic strain placed on small businesses by unchecked federal agencies."
"I have been an advocate for small business owners during my time on the Montgomery City Council," said Roby. "I fought against onerous regulations because I recognize the key role these businesses play in our economy. Punishing our entrepreneurs and business owners is not the way to economic recovery."
The REINS (Regulations from the Executive In Need of Scrutiny) Act would bring "Major Rules" to the floor for an up-or-down vote and would return the constitutional authority to pass legislation back to Congress.
The legislation has 70 co-sponsors in the House and has been endorsed by several business groups including the US Chamber of Commerce and the National Federation of Independent Business.
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