Watertown Republican Matt Doheny has issued statement criticizing Rep. Bill Owens, a Democrat from Plattsburgh and the 23rd District congressman, for not supporting a Republican bill in the House that would restrict the formation and enforcement of regulations on business practices.

Doheny is in the race to oppose Owens in the 2012 election for the House seat.

Doheny’s statement follows:

“I am shocked that Bill Owens refused to support the REINS Act recently passed in the House of Representatives. This common-sense legislation would help businesses in Northern and Central New York by reducing compliance costs and stopping intrusive regulation. The REINS Act means more jobs here and around the country.

Bill Owens showed his true stripes by opposing legislation that would stop unelected bureaucrats from creating more rules. He’s tried to promote himself as a friend of small business, but he’s been co-opted by the Washington insiders and now promotes their anti-job, anti-growth agenda.

North country residents should be pleased that the House ignored Bill Owens and passed this important, job-friendly legislation. Now it’s time for the Senate to do the same.”

Doheny attached what he called “Key facts regarding the REINS Act:”

• Allows Congress to review any proposed major regulation before it is implemented. A major rule is anything that would have an annual economic impact of $100 million or more.

• Makes our elected leaders accountable for rules changes, instead of the near 300,000 unelected federal regulators that implement rules without Congressional approval now.

• Ensures that new rules reflect Congress’s intent and the will of Americans.

• Prevents an administration from forcing its agenda through regulation, as the Obama administration did in allowing the FCC to implement “net neutrality” rules without any legislation.

• Returns the constitutional right of Congress to write and approve laws.

• Will reduce the number of approved regulations, lowering business compliance costs and freeing more money for growth.