Hanabusa Votes Against Bill that Would Interfere with Federal Agencies' Ability to Protect Americans

Statement

U.S. Representative Colleen Hanabusa (HI-01) voted against a bill that would interfere with a federal agency's ability to protect the health and safety of Americans.

The Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act which would amend the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to require that any executive agency regulatory proposal that would have an annual economic effect greater than $100 million be approved by the House and Senate, through a joint congressional resolution, and then signed by the President.

"This bill would politicize the regulatory process and undermine sensible safeguards that protect American families from things like unsafe food and products, dirty water, and hazardous working environments," said Hanabusa. "The measure would remove the responsibility of drafting regulations from professionals -- legal experts, scientists, engineers, doctors -- and place that responsibility in the hands of Congress."

"With the current gridlock, major regulations would become vulnerable since the bill states that any resolution not enacted into law by the end of 70 legislative days cannot take effect nor be reconsidered in the same Congress. The REINS Act also does not include language that entirely prohibits a filibuster. This means one ambitious Senator could single-handedly block all major agency regulations."

"We already have oversight on the federal agency rulemaking process, so there is no need for this unnecessary procedural hurdle that would drain resources and take time away from all other congressional business."

The REINS Act passed by a vote of 232-183 and now heads to the Senate. Last Congress, the Senate refused to bring up a similar bill passed by the House.

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