Dr. Benishek Authors Measure to Limit Job-Killing Federal Regulations

Press Release

Dr. Dan Benishek (MI-01) authored an amendment to the "Stop the War on Coal Act of 2012" (H.R. 3409) that will require the Obama Administration's regulators to evaluate the health effects associated with regulatory costs on job-providers. The amendment was adopted without opposition by the U.S. House of Representatives on September 20, 2012. The "Stop the War on Coal Act of 2012" has been sent to the U.S. Senate for its consideration.

"As a doctor who ran my own medical practice for nearly 30 years, I want to ensure President Obama's regulators take a close look at the damaging effects new federal rules can have on Michigan's job providers and citizens. I want Washington bureaucrats to learn that when their job-killing regulations put people out of work they hurt Northern Michigan families and breadwinners," said Dr. Benishek, a general surgeon and Iron River native.

The "Stop the War on Coal Act of 2012" forms a committee to study the cumulative cost of federal regulations. Dr. Benishek's amendment requires this committee to examine the health impacts on citizens that are associated with regulatory costs. The amendment will require federal agencies to do a more thorough cost-benefit analysis when writing new rules and regulations.

Economic experts report that small businesses currently face annual regulatory costs that add up to $10,000 per employee. These regulatory costs often force businesses to lay off workers and prevent them from hiring new employees. A 2011 study by Stony Brook University found that the risk of premature death was 63 percent higher for people who experienced extended periods of unemployment.

According to the Institute for Energy Research, Michigan may lose six electric power plants due to new federal regulations. Dr. Harvey Brenner of the University of North Texas has found that a large scale closure of power plants and the subsequent job losses could cause between 170,000 and 300,000 premature deaths nationwide.

"I've been travelling all over Northern Michigan meeting with business owners who are telling me that federal regulations are making it hard for them to hire new employees. Our job providers should not be forced to lay off more workers because Washington regulators are imposing costly new rules. We need to get Washington out of the way and get this economy moving again," added Dr. Benishek.

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