Today, Congressmen Jim Sensenbrenner (WI-05), Doug Collins (GA-09), and Kelly Armstrong (ND-AL) introduced the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act (REINS Act). This legislation would require that Congress has the opportunity to take an up or down vote on any executive branch agency rule that would have an annual economic impact of $100 million or more.
"It is time for Congress to reclaim its Article I authority by restoring the constitutional balance of power. The American people deserve a more direct say in regulations that could impact their everyday lives. The REINS Act would place a desperately needed check on unelected bureaucrats, saving taxpayers money," said Sensenbrenner. "We've made great strides in growing the economy and increasing people's take-home pay through historic tax cuts and regulatory reform. Now, Congress must take action to rein in the growth of bureaucratic red tape permanently. I'm proud to sponsor this important bill and thank Congressmen Collins and Armstrong for lending their support to this effort."
"Article I of the Constitution, in its very first words, gives Congress the federal government's legislative power, yet federal agencies routinely try to impose burdensome financial consequences without congressional input. That's not right," said Collins. "The REINS Act targets substantial regulatory abuses by the executive branch, and it would prevent agencies from enacting rules that have a major economic impact without congressional and presidential approval. I appreciate the leadership of Congressmen Sensenbrenner and Armstrong in introducing this critical legislation, and I encourage Chairman Nadler to take up this commonsense bill."
"This bill reasserts Congress's role in writing laws and increases accountability to the American people by requiring congressional approval of regulations that would cost the economy over $100 million, drastically increase costs for consumers, or otherwise harm the economy," said Armstrong. "Reining in the unelected bureaucracy will save taxpayer dollars and keep the economy growing."