House Judiciary Committee Passes REINS Act

Yesterday the House Judiciary Committee passed the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act ("REINS Act").   Specifically, the bill authorizes Congress to vote on regulations that will have an economic impact of at least $100 million or major increases in costs or prices for consumers. The bill passed along party lines by a vote of 22-14.


There are a number of efforts percolating in Congress now that are intended to subject federal rulemaking to more arduous requirements. While there are legitimate questions to be resolved about each, together they indicate a growing consensus that Congress ought to exert greater control over the promulgations of excessive agency regulations.