East Idaho Times

U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, both Republicans from Idaho, have announced their support for the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act. This legislation aims to reduce major federal regulations that are considered burdensome.

Senator Crapo stated, "While, thankfully, the current Administration is receptive to eliminating over-reaching federal regulation to help American businesses expand and increase jobs, that has not always been the case." He added that the REINS Act would allow for more scrutiny of new regulations and address current overregulation.

Senator Risch expressed similar sentiments: "Federal bureaucrats and excessive red tape have burdened Idahoans’ lives for too long. The REINS Act restores accountability by requiring Congress to review costly regulations and stop bureaucratic overreach. We must get the federal government out of the way and restore the freedoms guaranteed to Idahoans by the Constitution."

The REINS Act requires that once major rules are drafted, they must be approved by both chambers of Congress and signed into law by the President. This process aligns with constitutional requirements for bicameralism and presentment. Currently, agency regulations take effect unless Congress disapproves them specifically.

A "major" rule is defined as one with an economic impact of $100 million or more annually or one causing significant cost increases or adverse economic effects.

The bill introduces several changes from previous versions co-sponsored by Crapo and Risch:

- Individuals can defend themselves if they could not reasonably know their actions violated a law due to unclear statutes.

- People can sue if an agency enforces a major rule without congressional approval.

- Agency guidance with significant economic impacts requires congressional approval.

- Agencies can withdraw costly rules without needing congressional approval.

Additional co-sponsors include Senators Marsha Blackburn, Katie Britt, Ted Budd, Kevin Cramer, Steve Daines, Chuck Grassley, James Lankford, Mike Lee, Cynthia Lummis, Bernie Moreno, Rick Scott, Mike Rounds, Tim Sheehy, Tommy Tuberville, and Eric Schmitt.