Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, we can all agree that agencies should be transparent about what guidance is currently in effect for agency employees. During committee consideration of this legislation, Democratic members raised concerns that the bill should not be used for a purpose other than simple transparency. Unfortunately, the Senate sponsor of the companion legislation was quoted as stating that the bill could be used to eliminate guidance issued during President Barack Obama's administration by making those guidance documents available for disapproval under the Congressional Review Act. Mr. Speaker, I thank the majority for working with minority to address the concerns expressed in committee. The majority agreed to include a provision in the bill that clarifies that this bill will not be used to influence whether guidance falls under the Congressional Review Act. The bill we are considering today states that ``Nothing in this Act may be construed to affect whether a guidance document qualifies as a rule for purposes of chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code.'' There are additional improvements I believe should be made to the bill. For example, the definition in the bill of what would be considered a guidance document remains very broad, and it is unclear about who decides what is considered a guidance document. The bill also makes no exceptions for national security or other sensitive documents.…”