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North Country Rep. Stefanik votes with GOP in favor of curbing president's regulatory power

Posted 8/30/15

North Country Rep. Elise Stefanik, a Republican, voted recently with all other Republicans in the House of Representatives in support of a bill to curb the regulatory power of the president. Stefanik …

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North Country Rep. Stefanik votes with GOP in favor of curbing president's regulatory power

Posted

North Country Rep. Elise Stefanik, a Republican, voted recently with all other Republicans in the House of Representatives in support of a bill to curb the regulatory power of the president.

Stefanik was a sponsor of the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act intended to give Congress approval power on rules and regulations from the executive branch with an estimated impact of $100 million or more.

“Whenever I travel throughout the district, one of the most common problems I hear from our small business owners and job creators is how out of control regulations are hurting their ability to grow,” said Stefanik. “The REINS Act would simply require that any major rule or regulation coming from the executive branch require a vote before Congress before it can be implemented,” restricting the power the Executive Branch has had to promulgate regulations on legislation already approved by Congress.

Under the REINS Act, Congress would have 70 legislative days to approve such an economically impactful regulation and send it to the president for signature; if Congress disapproves of it or does nothing the new regulation would not go into effect effect.

One result of the act would be to force more discussion “before the Federal Government expands its reach into the lives of Americans through added regulation,” the statement said.

According to Congressional Budget Office, last year federal agencies published 80 major rules. Over the last five years, the average was 82 major rules a year, the press release said.

This legislation passed the House 243-165, with all but two Democrats opposed; those two Democrats voted with all Republicans in favor. The measure will go to the Senate for consideration.