Measure to Require Congressional Approval of Major Government Regulations Passes House

Statement

The House passed H.R. 26, the Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2017 (REINS) on Thursday evening. This measure, which Congressman Bill Shuster (R-Hollidaysburg) supported, requires government agencies to submit regulations that will have an economic impact of $100 million or more to Congress for approval.

"The federal government has become out of control with drafting major regulations without any input from Congress and then forcing them onto the American people without considering the consequences," said Congressman Shuster. "While these regulations in Washington may just be words on a page -- in my district they drastically impact people's lives. I've been a proponent of the REINS Act for several years, and it's great news that President-elect Trump has indicated he will sign it into law if it gets to his desk."

In 2015 federal regulations imposed an estimated $1.885 trillion burden for businesses and households, and the Obama Administration added an average of 81 new major regulations per year (556 during the first seven years). This isn't including every regulation -- just the major ones. The REINS Act does not prevent the administration from drafting major regulations. It simply requires the agencies to submit them to Congress for approval. Congress will be required to have an up or down vote on these major rules within 70 legislative days.

"The federal government has gone down the path of drafting regulations and then looking the other way when their real impact is felt," continued Shuster. "The REINS Act is exactly the type of policies to expect Congress to pass over these next few years as we rebound from President Obama's misguided agenda."

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