Hank Johnson: “The Midnight Rules Relief Act of 2016 is yet another unfounded and reckless attempt to prevent the implementation of…”

“The Midnight Rules Relief Act of 2016 is yet another unfounded and reckless attempt to prevent the implementation of critical laws by the Republican majority. H.R. 5982 would amend the Congressional Review Act to enable Congress to bundle numerous rules finalized during the final year of a President's term into a single vote on a joint resolution of disapproval. Alarmingly, once these rules have been invalidated through this process, the agency may not adopt a subsequent similar rule absent express authorization by Congress. According to my Republican colleagues, the Obama administration's regulatory agenda has eroded job growth and economic prosperity--far from it, however. Under President Obama's leadership, we have seen the longest consecutive streak of private job creation, the fastest growth of middle class income ever, and more high-quality and affordable health care for working Americans. Recently, the Census Bureau released new data indicating that in 2015 the median household income grew at the fastest rate on record, while the poverty rate fell at a faster rate than at any point since 1968. New data from the American Community Survey indicates that the number of uninsured Americans is declining in nearly every State. These metrics reflect a strong record of progress as Federal agencies implement laws like the Dodd-Frank Act and the Affordable Care Act. If anything, Mr.…”