H.R.3058 - Reclaim the Reins Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 3058, the "Reclaim the Reins Act," aims to increase congressional oversight of agency rulemaking. It amends Title 5 of the United States Code to require additional reporting from agencies regarding the budgetary effects, costs, and job impacts of proposed rules. The bill also mandates congressional approval for major rules that increase revenues and introduces additional review processes for rules issued during the final year of a President's term.
Furthermore, the Act requires agencies to review existing rules and provides for a Government Accountability Office (GAO) study to assess the number and economic cost of rules in effect. The overall goal is to enhance congressional control over the regulatory process and ensure greater accountability and transparency in agency rulemaking.
Expected Effects
The bill would likely lead to more rigorous scrutiny of agency rules by Congress and the GAO. This could result in fewer new regulations being implemented, especially those deemed economically significant or controversial. It may also lead to the repeal or modification of existing regulations through the enhanced review process.
Agencies would face increased administrative burdens due to the additional reporting requirements. The Act could also shift power from the executive branch to the legislative branch regarding regulatory policy.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency in agency rulemaking through detailed reporting requirements.
- Enhanced congressional oversight, potentially leading to more accountable and responsive regulations.
- Requirement for GAO studies to assess the economic impact of existing rules, providing valuable data for policymakers.
- A check on executive power by requiring congressional approval for major rules that increase revenue.
- Regular review of existing rules, potentially eliminating outdated or ineffective regulations.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased administrative burden and costs for agencies due to additional reporting requirements.
- Potential delays in implementing necessary regulations due to increased congressional review.
- Politicization of the rulemaking process, as congressional approval may be subject to partisan considerations.
- Uncertainty for businesses and other stakeholders due to the potential for rules to be disapproved or modified by Congress.
- Possible gridlock if Congress struggles to reach consensus on approving or disapproving major rules.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's focus on congressional review of agency rulemaking aligns with Article I, Section 1 of the Constitution, which vests all legislative powers in Congress. By increasing congressional oversight, the bill seeks to reassert Congress's role in shaping policy and ensuring that agency actions are consistent with legislative intent.
However, some might argue that the bill could infringe upon the executive branch's authority to implement laws, as outlined in Article II. The requirement for congressional approval of major rules could be seen as an encroachment on the executive's power to administer and enforce laws passed by Congress.
The constitutionality of specific provisions, such as the review of rules currently in effect and the sunset provisions, could be subject to judicial review to determine whether they unduly burden the executive branch's ability to carry out its constitutional duties.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).