On the recordMarch 2, 2017
I think my colleague across the aisle actually makes the case for me. The executive branch already requires that this work be done by the agencies. Leaving behind the constitutional authority of this body to direct that happen in the nature of executive orders that can be changed by the next executive, this actually codifies a good part of the executive order that is already in place, so the agencies wouldn't have to do any work. What this does add, however, to that executive order and why it is so important is it adds a transparency requirement. An agency is required to look to see what regulations are out there that may be duplicative under the executive order. This requires them to tell us about it. Why would they want to hide from the American people that they are creating a duplicative regulation? This is a simple transparency amendment that improves the quality of the underlying bill, improves the amount of information accessible to the public, and holds executive branch agencies accountable to make sure they are not putting unnecessary and duplicative burdens on the American people. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.
