Sens. Cramer, Paul, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Give Congress More Authority over Agency Rulemaking

Press Release

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) joined Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) in reintroducing the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act.

"In recent decades Congress has largely abdicated its duty and deferred major policy decisions to federal agencies and the unelected bureaucrats who run them. This has created significant problems for our constituents and made Washington less accountable to the people we serve," said Senator Cramer. "The REINS Act gives Congress more authority over the decisions made by the bureaucracy and will spur Congress to write better bills."

The bill defines a "major" rule as one 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.

Under the REINS Act, once major rules are drafted, they must then be affirmatively approved by both chambers of Congress and then signed by the President. Currently, regulations ultimately take effect unless Congress specifically disapproves.

Senators Cramer and Paul are joined on the bill with Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Rob Portman (R-OH), Rick Scott (R-FL), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Todd Young (R-IN), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Pat Toomey (R-PA), Ben Sasse (R-NE), Mike Lee (R-UT), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Mike Braun (R-IN), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Ron Johnson (R-WI), James Risch (R-ID), Mike Crapo (R-ID), and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS).

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