Smith & Davis Introduce the REINS Act

Washington, D.C. - House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today joined Congressman Geoff Davis (R-Ky.) in introducing legislation to restore accountability to government regulations. The Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny(REINS) Act (H.R. 10) requires Congress to take an up-or-down vote on government regulations before they can be enforced on the American people and businesses. Specifically, the bill authorizes Congress to vote on regulations that will have an economic impact of at least $100 million or major increases in costs or prices for consumers.

The House Judiciary Committee has scheduled a subcommittee hearing on the REINS Act for January 24, 2011.  The REINS Act was originally introduced by Congressman Davis in the 111th Congress.

Chairman Smith: “The REINS Act brings real change to Washington.  For too long, unelected federal officials have imposed huge costs on the economy and American people through burdensome regulations.  Because the officials authorizing the regulations are not elected, they cannot be held accountable by American voters.  The REINS Act reins in the costly overreach of federal agencies that stifles job creation and hinders economic growth.  It restores the authority to impose regulations to those who are accountable to the voters, their elected representatives in Congress.”

Rep. Davis:  “The American people have asked for more transparency and accountability from their government and the REINS Act is an important part of our response. The REINS Act would end the practice of Congress avoiding accountability through vaguely drafted legislation by requiring a vote on the most burdensome regulations generated by those laws. Members of Congress should never have an option to avoid responsibility for the effects of the laws they pass.”

Speaker of the House John Boehner praised the REINS Act as “one of the first steps House Republicans are taking to fulfill our obligations to the American people consistent with our Pledge to America.  The REINS Act gives a meaningful voice to job creators and families faced with a confusing and ever-growing regulatory code by ensuring that their elected representatives are directly accountable for the most significant regulations imposed by the federal government.” 

For more information about the REINS Act, visit: http://GeoffDavis.house.gov/REINS