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Westerman Votes to Reform Federal Agency Rule-Making Process

January 11, 2017

WASHINGTON – Congressman Bruce Westerman issued the following statement Wednesday (December 11) upon passage of H.R. 5, the Regulatory Accountability Act of 2017:

"The overreach of the federal government is hurting the economy," Westerman said. "These regulations amount to a burden of $1.89 trillion on the American people, equal to nearly $15,000 per home. During the last eight years, the Obama administration has added more than 600 regulations at a cost of $740 billion and 194 million paperwork hours. That is why I voted for the Regulatory Accountability Act. This bill will require agencies to choose the lowest-cost rulemaking alternatives while allowing for greater public input and vetting of critical information and alternatives. This bill will also repeal the Chevron doctrine, which established rules for judicial review of agency regulations. We must restore the Constitutional authority of Congress endowed by our founding fathers. This bill does that."

According to the House Republican Conference, H.R. 5 would:

  • Require agencies to choose the lowest-cost rulemaking alternative that meets statutory objectives. (Title I—Regulatory Accountability Act);
  • Require greater opportunity for public input and vetting of critical information and alternatives—especially for major and billion-dollar rules. (Title I—Regulatory Accountability Act);
  • Repeal the Chevron and Auer doctrines to end judicial deference to bureaucrats' statutory and regulatory interpretations. (Title II—Separation of Powers Restoration Act);
  • Require agencies to account for the direct, indirect and cumulative impacts of new regulations on small businesses—and find flexible ways to reduce them. (Title III—Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act);
  • Prohibit new billion-dollar rules from taking effect until courts can resolve timely-filed litigation challenging their promulgation. (Title IV—REVIEW Act);
  • Force agencies to publish online, timely information about regulations in development and their expected nature, costs and timing. (Title V—ALERT Act); and
  • Publish plain-language, online summaries of new proposed rules, so the public can understand what agencies actually propose to do. (Title VI—Providing Accountability Through Transparency Act).