As debate over EPA regulation rages across the nation, and particularly in Washington, DC, one lawmaker has offered a surprisingly simple approach to cutting down on excessive federal regulation.
Representative Geoff Davis of Kentucky has introduced, HR 10, or The REINS Act, a law that would require that Congress take an up-or-down vote on every new major rule (more than $100 million annual economic impact) before it could be enforced on the American people and businesses.
To promote the bill, Rep. Davis has launched this website that allows groups to learn more about the bill, sign up to get email updates, and share the bill with others through social media. Among the organizations that support the bill are the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Taxpayers Union, and Associated Builders and Contractors. PACE is adding its name to that list.
With a slew of EPA regulations in various stages of development – Boiler MACT, Coal Ash Regulation, Utility MACT, more stringent Ozone Standards, Greenhouse Gas regulation, just to name a few – it is clear that something needs to be done to ensure accountability in the regulatory process. The simple truth is that EPA answers to no one, while Congress ultimately answers to us.
The REINS Act is a good idea. We hope it gathers steam and offers American businesses and consumers a layer of accountability we desperately need.
