On the recordJuly 13, 2018
My amendment simply strikes a section of H.R. 50 that subjects independent agencies to the reporting requirements of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, also known as UMRA. The Office of Management and Budget, which is charged with implementing the President's priorities across the executive branch, is responsible for overseeing the implementation of H.R. 50. {time} 1000 This bill expands OMB's role by requiring them to guarantee that each agency complies with the act's requirements, which puts the independent agencies in jeopardy of political interference. The independence of regulatory agencies, like the Federal Communications Commission and the Consumer Product Safety Commission, who are responsible for protecting public health and safety, would be severely compromised. The aptly named independent agencies are entitled to operate with more autonomy than Cabinet agencies and without undue influence from Presidential administrations. This is particularly troubling considering this administration's track record on weakening States' rights by gutting Federal public protections and blocking States from adopting stronger State level standards and protections. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly).
