On the recordJuly 28, 2015
And rise in opposition to H.R. 427. Mr. Chair, H.R. 427, the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2015, otherwise known as the REINS Act, would amend the Congressional Review Act to require that both Houses of Congress pass and the President sign a joint resolution of approval within 70 legislative days before any major rule issued by an agency can take effect. Additionally, H.R. 427 imposes deadlines for the enactment of a joint resolution approving a major rule that could charitably be referred to as Byzantine. Under new section 802, the House may only consider a major rule on the second and fourth Thursday of each month. Last year there were only 13 such days on the legislative calendar compared to the 80 major rules adopted in 2014. Furthermore, under new section 801, Congress may only consider such resolutions within 70 legislative days of receiving a major rule. This process would constructively end rulemaking as we know it. Now, Mr. Chair, the reason why my friends on the other side of the aisle contend that we need this kind of gumming-the-works legislation, which would result in the passage of no new regulations, is because these new regulations are stifling economic growth.…
