HEARING ADVISORY: Task Force to Examine the Rise of Unaccountable Federal Regulatory Agencies
May 19, 2016
Washington, D.C. – On Tuesday, May 24, 2016 at 3:00 p.m., the Task Force on Executive Overreach will hold a hearing titled, “The Federal Government on Autopilot: Delegation of Regulatory Authority to an Unaccountable Bureaucracy.”
Since the 1960’s, the portion of the federal budget dedicated to federal regulatory agencies, and their staffing levels, has grown dramatically. Furthermore, there has been a great rise in additional ways the President and federal agencies have deviated from the traditional process of rulemaking, thereby diffusing responsibility for policies in complicated ways few people can even begin to understand. These unorthodox practices have led to the type of legal uncertainty condemned by our Founding Fathers. At the task force hearing, members will explore issues related to the growth in federal regulatory burdens imposed by a largely unaccountable federal bureaucracy.
Witnesses for the hearing are:
- John D. Graham, Dean, Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs
- Sofie Miller, Senior Policy Analyst, Regulatory Studies Center, George Washington University
- Amit Narang, Regulatory Policy Advocate, Public Citizen
- Gail Heriot, Professor of Law, University of San Diego School of Law
“Over the past several decades, federal regulatory agencies have grown dramatically both in power and size. While the federal bureaucracy is largely unaccountable to the American people, its actions have significant implications for our nation and economy. At the task force hearing, we will examine the many issues related to the growth in federal regulatory burdens and look for solutions to rein in this problem.”This hearing will take place in 2141 Rayburn House Office Building and will be webcast live at /. Camera crews wishing to cover must be congressionally-credentialed and RSVP with the House Radio-TV Gallery at (202) 225-5214. Background on the Task Force: The Task Force on Executive Overreach is authorized for six months and will study the impact the increase in presidential and executive branch power has had on the ability of Congress to conduct oversight of the executive branch, the lack of transparency that furthers unchecked executive power, and the constitutional requirement of the President to faithfully execute the law. Additionally, the task force will review the tools at the disposal of the Congress to restore the proper balance of powers and hold the executive branch accountable. It will also make recommendations where there are deficiencies, including legislative solutions.