House Attacks Future Health, Environmental Protections

WASHINGTON – The House today approved the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act, as part of a broad assault on public protections.

The following is a statement by Scott Slesinger, legislative director at the Natural Resources Defense Council:

“REINS is another dangerous salvo in the House’s effort to eviscerate public safeguards.  This radical measure would effectively shut down the process by which this country protects its people from environmental, health and all sorts of other harms.  The Senate—and the public—should forcefully reject this measure.” 

The REINS Act would require any “major” administrative agency rule to be approved by both houses of Congress within 70 legislative days.  Any rule put forward without such approval would fail to take effect. 

Today’s move follows a vote yesterday in the House to approve the Midnight Rule Relief Act.  Another measure, the Regulatory Accountability Act is set for consideration early next week.

For more information, see this blog by David Goldston, NRDC's director of government affairs.

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The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 2 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City; Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles; San Francisco; Chicago; Bozeman, Montana; and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.