Bridenstine Votes for Regulatory Fairness and Efficiency

Press Release

"This was a great day. I got to vote for regulatory fairness and for regulatory efficiency," commented Congressman Jim Bridenstine following votes on two bills in the U.S. House of Representatives Wednesday. "Regulatory excesses of the past few years have been a severe impediment to economic growth."

Wednesday the House passed HR 592 "Federal Disaster Assistance Nonprofit Fairness Act". This legislation amended the Stafford Act to clarify that houses of worship are eligible for disaster relief and emergency assistance on terms equal to other eligible private nonprofit facilities.

The Congressman explained, "Current law does not preclude FEMA from providing funding to houses of worship, but it has been FEMA's own policy to restrict such support. HR 592 will overrule FEMA's policy so that their practice is consistent with the law."

The House unanimously passed HR 267 "Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2013." The legislation facilitates the development of new, small hydropower projects in the U.S. by streamlining federal licensing requirements for small hydropower projects. The Committee Report on the bill found that, "With the right Federal policies in place, it may be possible to double hydropower capacity and create thousands of new domestic jobs."

Bridenstine said, "This is the right way to stimulate the economy. Get the regulatory burden out of the way and let private enterprise create jobs, all with no significant impact on the federal budget."

"It is a good day in Congress when you can reduce regulatory burdens and assure that a regulatory agency acts fairly."

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