CEI on REINS Act – Fixing Regulation Without Representation
Today the U.S. House of Representatives are voting on the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act. For years, Competitive Enterprise Institute’s regulatory reform experts have discussed the economic benefits of the REINS Act. See comments on the merits of this bill below.
Wayne Crews, CEI Vice President for Policy:
“‘Taxation without representation’ is a familiar phrase, but ‘regulation without representation’ is arguably an even worse problem. This is where REINS comes in and can make a big difference. For example, in 2014, Congress enacted 224 bills into law. In that same time, agencies passed 3,554 regulations. That is 16 times as many regulations as laws, and we need REINS to shrink this massive regulatory burden.”
Ryan Young, CEI fellow:
“If an agency is going to issue a regulation, it first needs authorization from Congress. But too often in recent years, agencies have been acting completely on their own. Members of Congress have delegated away their legislative responsibilities to these same agencies, who aren’t up for election every few years, removing a much-needed level of accountability. REINS will help change that by forcing Congress and agencies to be accountable for the regulations that significantly affect consumers and businesses, and cost Americans billions of dollars.”
Related:
>> CEI scholar Wayne Crews at Forbes.com: The Problem With The White House Threat To Veto The REINS Act
>> “Reforming Regulations and Agency Oversight” a chapter in CEI’s Agenda for the 114th Congress
>> Ten Thousand Commandments, CEI’s annual snapshot of the federal regulatory state by Wayne Crews