Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act in the Senate on Thursday.
His bill intended to take action to “put power back in the people’s hands instead of the administrative state,” read a press release about the bill. This specifically applies to the current process involving legislation in the government in which regulations go into effect unless explicitly disapproved by Congress. Under Paul’s proposal in the REINS Act, major rules would need to be approved by the legislative branch before going to the president for signature and approval.
“The purpose of this Act is to increase accountability for and transparency in the Federal regulatory process,” read the text of the bill. “Section 1 of article I of the Constitution of the United States grants all legislative powers to Congress.”
Additionally, Paul’s REINS Act highlighted a recent history of a reduction in oversight and accountability in legislation that is passed by Congress.
“Over time, Congress has excessively delegated its constitutional charge while failing to conduct appropriate oversight and retain accountability for the content of the laws it passes,” read the bill. “By requiring a vote in Congress, this Act will result in more carefully drafted and detailed legislation, an improved regulatory process, and a legislative branch that is truly accountable to the American people for the laws imposed upon them.”
If passed, the REINS ACT would ensure any rule proposal would satisfy “the bicameralism and presentment requirements of the Constitution.”
“The whims of an unaccountable administrative state should never rule our lives,” Paul said in a release. “For too long, an ever-growing federal bureaucracy has piled regulations and red tape on the backs of the American people without any approval by Americans’ elected representatives. By making Congress more accountable for the most costly and intrusive federal rules, our REINS Act would give Kentuckians and all Americans a greater voice in determining whether these major rules are truly in America’s best interests.”
Paul has introduced a version of the REINS Act “every Congress since he has been in office.” There were a couple of notable changes to this year’s version. First, it included a right for people to sue the federal government if “an agency implements a major rule without getting congressional approval.” Second, this year’s version included a “Liberty Act,” which required any “agency guidance with an economic impact of $100 million or more” required the approval of Congress.
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Multiple Senate Republicans joined Paul in cosponsoring the bill, including Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Katie Britt (R-AL), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), James Lankford (R-OK), Mike Lee (R-UT), Rick Scott (R-FL), and Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), among others.
“The REINS Act is desperately needed,” said George Landrith, president of the Frontiers of Freedom Institute. “We hear a lot about defending democracy today, but we don’t see much real effort from the administrative state to honor the principles of democracy. Senator Paul’s updated REINS Act will make sure that the people’s representatives in Congress will have to approve of any major rules proposed by an unelected administrative agency.”
