Senator Toomey Backs Efforts To Review And Streamline Regulations; Spur Job Creation

Press Release

As part of his quest to free American employers from burdensome regulations imposed by the Obama administration and create new jobs for Pennsylvanians, Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) cosponsored two bills Thursday to review and reform unnecessary and excessive federal regulations.

"We need more freedom for job creators to get our economy back on track, not more red tape. Our economy will grow when companies have the ability to invest, expand and hire new employees, but overly burdensome and unnecessary regulations can put such progress out of reach," Sen. Toomey said. "This administration has forced too much bureaucracy onto the American people, and it's time for Congress to make sure that our regulations are carefully reviewed and streamlined."

The two bills Sen. Toomey has cosponsored would restore congressional oversight to the existing out-of-control regulatory process:

* The Regulatory Responsibility for Our Economy Act (S. 358) would clarify the president's Jan. 18, 2011, executive order, ensuring that all federal agencies and sub-agencies comply with the president's order to review, modify, streamline, expand or repeal regulatory action that are duplicative, unnecessary, burdensome or have significant economic impacts on Americans. Many agencies claim to be exempt from the president's regulatory review because they are already meeting the executive order's commitments.

* The Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act (S. 299) would require Congress to approve every new major rule proposed by the Executive Branch before enforcement can begin, allowing Congress to oversee and monitor the consequences and impact of proposed regulations.

Earlier this week, Sen. Toomey announced his co-sponsorship of two Senate bills that would repeal a new medical device excise tax included in President Obama's health care bill. Under the bill, medical device companies will face a 2.3 percent excise tax in 2013, penalizing researchers who are developing new lifesaving technologies that have yet to break even on their research costs.

Sen. Toomey is committed to the important task of creating Pennsylvania jobs and will continue to sponsor and cosponsor legislation to remove unnecessary regulatory obstacles to private sector job creation and innovation.

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