May 26: House and Senate Republicans reacted harshly to the White House release of 30 individual agency plans designed to significantly reduce regulatory burdens on individuals, small businesses, and state and local governments, while maintaining the critical health and safety protections that Americans deserve. The plans are in response to President Obama's January 18, 2011, Executive Order on Regulation [See WIMS 1/18/11].
House Energy and Commerce Committee, Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Cliff Stearns (R-FL) was outraged and issued a statement saying, "Two days after missing a congressional deadline, Obama regulatory czar Cass Sunstein has unveiled the preliminary recommendations that federal agencies were required to submit, identifying onerous regulations. Sunstein and his staff ignored formal requests from the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee for the preliminary plans by May 24, only releasing details a few hours in advance of a publicity tour that included a public speech this morning. Sunstein, Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, is scheduled to testify before the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee on June 3.
"My message to Mr. Sunstein and the Obama administration is that congressional inquiries are not optional. It is astonishing that despite this administration's repeated claims of transparency, it continues to ignore and defy basic requests for information. With today's findings, we redouble our efforts to close the Obama administration's red tape factory and remain vigilant in protecting good paying jobs and fostering a new era of economic growth. We look forward to having an honest and thoughtful conversation with regulatory czar Sunstein next week."
Senator James Inhofe (R-OK), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), issued a highly critical statement saying, "There's no question that regulatory red tape is hurting the economy and stifling job growth. But President Obama's actions are out of step with his talking points. Let's put this in perspective: over the past two years the Obama administration has unleashed the most aggressive regulatory regime in American history. From cap and trade regulations to a clean water power grab, Obama is doing through regulation what he could not achieve through legislation. This agenda has increased costs on every American and put hundreds of thousands of jobs at risk. Any steps to reduce red tape are more than welcome, but if the President truly wants to make a difference to job growth, he can begin by reining in the Environmental Protection Agency's stringent greenhouse gas regulations and water rules, which are unrivaled in the harm they pose to the American economy."
Access the statement from Rep. Stearns (click here). Access the statement from Sen. Inhofe (click here). Access the White House Regulatory Reform website for links to all of the plans, the Executive Order, a video and related information (click here). [*All]
Republicans React To White House Regulatory Reform Plans
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Senators Press For CFTC Action On Gas Price Manipulation
Bicameral, Bipartisan Fuel Feedstock Freedom Act
Clean Air Advisors Issue Report On Monitoring For NOx & SOx
Clean Air Advisors Issue Consultation On Lead NAAQS
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UN Says Metal Recycling Rates Worldwide Discouragingly Low
NOAA Says Atlantic Bluefin Tuna ESA Listing Not Warranted
Senators Press For CFTC Action On Gas Price Manipulation
Bicameral, Bipartisan Fuel Feedstock Freedom Act
Clean Air Advisors Issue Report On Monitoring For NOx & SOx
Clean Air Advisors Issue Consultation On Lead NAAQS
G8 Meeting Lacks Attention To Climate Change & Energy Issues
Kentucky Republicans Introduce Energy and Revenue Enrichment Act
