On the recordJune 14, 2023
I thank the chair and ranking member of the full committee that has jurisdiction of these issues. I am grateful to have the opportunity to speak on this amendment. This amendment delays the implementation of the legislation by 1 year and requires that a study be conducted in time by GAO on the effects of implementation. We are making drastic changes, and drastic changes ought not be made rapidly. We ought to give ourselves time to study these things so that we can make prudent and judicious decisions. A GAO study would provide us with the rigorous, unbiased analysis of the likely impacts of the bill. It would examine the economic, regulatory, and administrative implications of this new approval process. This amendment would help us to better understand how the shift might affect industries, consumers especially, the economy, and the government. While the intent to improve regulatory oversight is laudable, we must not rush into this. There should not be this rush to judgment as to the implications without at least giving ourselves an opportunity to examine them. We shouldn't do this without fully appreciating the potential consequences. Mr. Chair, I believe that this amendment, while simple, is something that can be of great benefit, and I reserve the balance of my time.
