Hanabusa Votes Against Bill That Would Give Corporations Unfair Advantage in Federal Rule-Making Process
Press Release
U.S. Representative Colleen Hanabusa (HI-01) voted against a bill that would allow the private industry to influence the federal rule-making process and stop common-sense safeguards that protect the health and safety of Americans and the environment.
H.R. 899 requires federal agencies to consult with the private industry before proposing rules, and gives corporations an unfair advantage over individuals in the development of regulations.
"This is the second time this week we are voting on reckless GOP legislation to undermine critical safeguards and environmental protections that are in place to protect families in Hawaii and across the nation," said Hanabusa. "This bill compromises the independence of these federal agencies by allowing business interests to influence the regulatory process, and gives power to corporations over people. These corporations would be able to receive advance notice of proposed regulations, and allow opponents to use the courts to delay or invalidate regulations by tying them up in litigation for years. This measure would also require agencies to divert their time and resources to conduct unnecessary retrospective analyses on existing rules, hampering their ability to carry out their responsibilities to the public. Instead of trying to politicize the process, let's focus on legislation that ensures our rules and regulations are cost-effective, current, and based on evidence."
The Coalition for Sensible Safeguards, which consists of more than 150 consumer protection organizations and public interests groups, is opposing the measure saying the bill is "premised on the notion that regulations are unnecessary. It would allow business interest to get advance notice of proposed regulations, as local governments do, and give them the opportunity to comment, but would continue to exclude voters and taxpayers from such deliberations."
H.R. 899 passed by a vote of 234-176 and now heads to the Senate. The Obama Administration issued a veto threat for this bill.
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