Senators Lankford, Heitkamp Regulatory Improvement Bills Pass Committee

Press Release

Three bipartisan regulatory improvement bills introduced by Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) today passed the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. The bills aim to facilitate greater transparency and accountability in the federal rulemaking process.

The Smarter Regulations Through Advance Planning and Review Act would require agencies to plan for and conduct regular mandatory retrospective reviews on their most expensive rules; the Early Participation in Regulations Act of 2015 would allow Americans to participate in the regulatory process earlier; and the Principled Rulemaking Act of 2015 would ensure that agencies propose rules that address verifiable problems.

"People in Oklahoma are frustrated when someone a thousand miles away tells them how to operate their business without ever asking for meaningful input or conversation," said Lankford. "Most people are not anti-regulation. They simply want to be heard and have the opportunity to manage their own business. Today is the first step in the long journey back to a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

"Senator Heitkamp and I have held numerous hearings and roundtables about the federal rulemaking process, and it has become clear that the system is not working as intended. These bills will produce a more efficient regulatory process, and ultimately better regulations by requiring retrospective reviews, earlier notice to the public, and more rigorous analysis on the front end of the rulemaking process. We will push to bring these bills to the floor for a full vote by the Senate, and I am confident the House will consider this legislation."

"Today the three bipartisan, commonsense bills that I introduced with Senator Lankford to cut red tape and make federal regulations more effective and fair were voted out of Committee, and are a step closer to becoming law. Federal regulations protecting our air, workers, and families are critical -- but we need to make sure they don't overly burden North Dakota families, farmers, and small businesses," said Heitkamp. "Our bills would make sure Congress reviews regulations so they work as intended, and develop strategies that lessen the impact of federal regulations over time and eliminate unneeded regulations. We have a simple goal -- make federal regulations more effective and efficient."

Lankford and Heitkamp are Chairman and Ranking Member, respectively, on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management.

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