They’re using an obscure 1990s law to wipe out regulations they don't like
By
Jillian S. Ambroz
The Republicans of the
115th Congress and Trump have not accomplished much in the way
of landmark legislation this year, unless you count overturning President
Barack Obama’s achievements. And on that front, they’ve been prolific.
In Trump’s first four
months of office, he and Congress have completely eliminated 14 rules issued
Obama—rules ranging from things like protecting Americans from coal waste in
drinking water to blocking individuals with severe mental illness from buying
firearms—using the Congressional Review Act.
And lest you think
that headache of a legislation that had only been wielded once in 21 years
before now might be going away anytime soon, think again.
Congress has targeted
at least 31 rules in just 11 months, including the ones that have been
nullified already, according to a report prepared by former senior staff member
of the Congressional Research Service, Curtis W.
Copeland. Those that have not been disapproved have been introduced to the
House and await further action.
It’s not enough to
just remove the rules, this Republican-led Congress and Trump want to nullify
these acts completely, as if they never took place.
To do that requires a joint resolution by a simple majority in each house of Congress, which is easy for this current legislative branch. After 60 legislative days, Trump can sign the resolution into law and nullify the previous rule.
But once undone, it’s
not easy to reinstate a rule removed by the Congressional Review Act, which is
written so that essentially a new law is required to reinstate a new or similar
rule like the one that was removed by it.
And that is how people like influential ex-White House strategist Steve Bannon and pollution advocate Myron Ebell, who was in charge of the blueprint for the transition and transformation of the Environmental Protection Agency, crafted this deregulation regime that could take years to undo once Trump leaves office.
And that is how people like influential ex-White House strategist Steve Bannon and pollution advocate Myron Ebell, who was in charge of the blueprint for the transition and transformation of the Environmental Protection Agency, crafted this deregulation regime that could take years to undo once Trump leaves office.
Bannon once said the
goal of the Trump presidency is the “deconstruction of the administrative state.”
The Congressional
Review Act was part of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich’s Contract with
America and signed into law in 1996 by President Bill Clinton.
Before Trump took
office, the Congressional Review Act was only used once before when the 107th Congress
overturned a rule by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The
rule addressed ergonomic injuries in the workplace.
Here are just a few of
the rules Congress and Trump have overturned:
- Oil Company Foreign Payment Disclosure Rule: Forced oil companies to disclose payments to foreign governments.
- The Stream Protection Rule: Enforced regulations on coal mine operators to protect streams and other water sources from coal waste.
- Workplace Injuries Rule: Required employers to maintain accurate records of serious workplace injuries and illnesses for up to five years.
- Gun Control Amendment: Required the Social Security Administration to provide instant information to the National Instant Criminal History Background Check System on individuals meeting certain criteria, including severe mental health issues, that would prevent them from being able to purchase a firearm.
“Time and time again,
Republicans have abused the Congressional Review Act to appease the extreme
right wing of their party and ensure giveaways to corporate special interests,”
top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in a Politico article.
It was thought there
was a finite window for the Congress and Trump to employ the Congressional
Review Act, which was previously considered a vehicle to undo so-called
“Midnight Regulations” of an outgoing administration. The consensus was Obama
actions only back to 2016 could be undone.
That may not be the case. Technically, Congress can go back over unsubmitted agency rules, too—all the way back to 1996—and belatedly submit them for disapproval. Thousands of rules and regulations could be up for disapproval.
That may not be the case. Technically, Congress can go back over unsubmitted agency rules, too—all the way back to 1996—and belatedly submit them for disapproval. Thousands of rules and regulations could be up for disapproval.
In May, Senators Cory
Booker (D-N.J.) and Tom Udall (D-N.M.) introduced a bill to repeal the Congressional Review Act.
It’s unlikely the Republican-led Congress will give up its most powerful tool
anytime soon. At least not before the 116thCongress is sworn in.
ACTION BOX/What
You Can Do About It
Contact the White House and tell Trump using the Congressional Review Act and undoing these regulations is harmful to the American people. Call 202-456-1111, reach him on Twitter or email.
Contact Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) by phone at 202-225-3031, email, Facebook or Twitter.
Contact Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.)by phone at 202-224-2541, email, Facebook or Twitter.
As always, contact your representatives and senators and ask them to stop using the CRA to roll back safeguards for the American public.