A new proposal for constitutional restoration

Now that Congress has gotten past debt-ceiling drama, next up is wrangling the nation’s budget for the coming year.

A budget is about policy and spending priorities. Amid debate over where tax dollars get spent, lawmakers also have an opportunity to consider significant, long-term reforms.

Here’s one they should do: claw back their own lawmaking powers from the executive branch.

For a long time, members of Congress have complained about various rules made by executive branch agencies. These decisions by unelected bureaucrats take freedom away from the people in ways no one voted for.

What can be done? A new Competitive Enterprise Institute report proposes a reform that defunds agency policymaking and builds greater capacity within Congress to do that job. It would be a significant change to how Washington operates, but there are ways to make this change that are not disruptive.

First, we propose starting with only two agencies. This allows lawmakers and the public to see the practical consequences of the reform and address problems before broader application. It is better to have a gradual transition than an abrupt change throughout the government.

Second, we propose an alternative system to address matters the current administrative process handles. We call our approach “supplemental legislation.”

In short, Congress would be in charge of the regulatory process. Once lawmakers approve a regulation, that is what would be implemented.

If Congress can’t agree, the president can choose between the proposal with the most votes in the House or the Senate.

In this way, elected officials would issue any needed regulation. Still, they would also be accountable for their votes at the ballot box.

Read the full article on Frederick News Post.