John Conyers: “I am opposed to the regulatory reform provisions of the bill for the following reasons. On process: This bill has never…”

“I am opposed to the regulatory reform provisions of the bill for the following reasons. On process: This bill has never been considered by the Judiciary Committee or by any other committee in the House. It's stealth process--we only saw the final draft late last night--continues the Republican record of disdain for the committees and for proper democratic process. This bill was created by a secret process in the House, and will allow special interests to secretly influence regulations in the executive branch. The secret influences of the few: Under the bill, so-called Regulatory Fairness Boards and Advocacy Panels are to be established to directly influence the content of regulations and the nature of regulatory enforcement. These boards are to be made up solely of a few favored small businesses, and can include exclusively campaign contributors. Ex parte contacts in reg writing: The boards and advocacy panels will provide an avenue for private ex parte contacts with the agencies and the OIRA administrator to influence regulations and enforcement--a departure from the commonly accepted principle that the regulation writing process should be open and on the record.”