Blake Farenthold: “Thank you very much, Chairman Goodlatte. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of the Regulatory Accountability…”

“Thank you very much, Chairman Goodlatte. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of the Regulatory Accountability Act of 2015. There is no question that the Federal Government and Federal regulations take a heavy toll on businesses of all sizes. That toll isn't just financial; it is also stress, it is also time, it is also emotional. Dealing with the government is difficult. Just the dollars- and-cents cost of Federal regulation has been estimated at $1.86 trillion--or so the expert tells me. That adds up to roughly $15,000 per household. It is simply not right for unelected bureaucrats to put that much weight on the shoulders of the American people without making all efforts to minimize the costs and give the people of south Texas and everywhere in this country the opportunity and a chance to weigh in. In Texas in particular, we have seen how onerous EPA and Department of the Interior and other regulations have slowed job growth and the American energy boom, costing our domestic energy companies millions of dollars. This bill would put public discussion back on the table when it comes to regulations and would ensure that the economic costs are fully considered and minimized. We have a lot of work to do to peel back some of the needless, overburdensome regulations that are strangling our businesses, but this bill will help us plug the hole in the boat while we get rid of--start pumping out--some of the water.…”