WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) joined his colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives last week in passing legislation to require Congressional approval on major regulations. H.R. 26, the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act, requires any executive branch rule or regulation that has greater than a $100 million economic impact to be reviewed and voted on by Congress.
In addition, Latta also voted to pass H.R. 21, the Midnight Rule Relief Act, which will provide more tools to Congress to roll back last minute regulations implemented by the Obama Administration. In many cases, these ‘Midnight Rules’ are not fully weighed and considered. While the Congressional Review Act gives Congress the ability to vote to remove these regulations within 60 days, a large number of regulations would be difficult to consider in that timeframe. The Midnight Rule Relief Act allows Congress to consider eliminating multiple rules at once.
“Ohio’s hardworking men and women who are business owners, manufacturers, and farmers have been crushed under the weight of new, massive regulations that the executive branch has placed on them — most of the time with no input from Congress,” said Latta. “Passing the REINS Act ensures that unelected, unaccountable bureaucrats can’t put in place major rules without receiving the approval of Congress first. At the same time, the Midnight Rules Relief Act gives Congress new tools to roll back rules and regulations that are rushed through at the end of a Presidential term. It’s time to take the shackles off of our economy, and that means putting an end to a runaway regulatory system.”
