On the recordDecember 7, 2011
I thank the Chairman. The REINS Act provides powerful, commonsense regulatory reform. It reins in the costly overreach of Federal agencies that stifles job creation and slows economic growth. If we want to have jobs, we have to help the job creators. This bill restores the authority to impose major regulations on those who are accountable to the voters, their elected Representatives in Congress. Opponents of the bill resist it for two primary reasons. They say, number one, it takes too much time for Congress to approve or disapprove major regulations. Secondly, they say Congress isn't expert enough to understand whether major regulations should be approved or disapproved. Both objections amount to one thing: their belief that Congress cannot be responsible and accountable for major decisions that affect America's economic life. Fortunately, the Framers of the Constitution saw things differently, and so do most Americans. The Constitution gives Congress the Federal authority to regulate the economy, not the unelected bureaucrats. If the Constitution gives the authority to Congress, then Congress should be willing to accept the responsibility and the accountability for these decisions. We should and we will take the time. We should and we will hold hearings. We should and we will allow amendments on the floor and votes and, most importantly, Mr. Chairman, transparency, something that the job creators are not being allowed right now.…
