Senate Committee Passes Dr. Rand Paul's REINS Act

Press Release

Today, the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) passed U.S. Senator Rand Paul's "Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny" (REINS) Act (S. 92), sending the legislation to the Senate floor.

Dr. Paul reintroduced the REINS Act on January 10, 2019, and the legislation has 42 cosponsors.

"For too long, an ever-growing federal bureaucracy has piled regulations and red tape on the backs of the American people without any approval by Americans' elected representatives," said Dr. Paul. "The REINS Act reasserts Congress' legislative authority and would continue the historic progress we have made under the Trump administration to curb the damaging effects of overreaching regulations."

Dr. Paul's REINS Act would rein in unelected federal bureaucrats by requiring that Congress affirmatively approve every new "major rule" proposed by the Executive Branch before it can be enforced on the American people. Currently, regulations ultimately take effect unless Congress specifically disapproves.

The bill defines a "major" rule as one that the Office of Management and Budget determines may result in an economic impact of $100 million or greater each year; "a major increase in costs or prices" for American consumers, government agencies, regions, or industries; or "significant adverse effects" on the economy.

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee also passed Dr. Paul's REINS Act in the 115th Congress on May 17, 2017.

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