Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2025

Floor Speech

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Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of my amendment, which would restrict funds at the Department of Homeland Security from being used to finalize any rule or regulation that has an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more. Some might know this language commonly as REINS, Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny.

It is no secret that the regulatory agencies today are out of control. Under the Biden administration, we have seen hundreds of billions, with a b, of dollars in regulatory costs fall on the shoulders of average Americans without any input from their elected Representatives in Congress.

My amendment seeks to restore congressional oversight and the people's voice over these regulations by requiring that any major rule proposed by these agencies must be approved by Congress, a/k/a the people's House, before they go into effect.

By including my amendment in this bill, we restore Congress' Article I authorities by bringing significant regulatory decisions back to the body that is closest to the will of the people. We will no longer allow unelected, nameless, faceless bureaucrats to impose regulatory costs behind closed doors, but, rather, commit ourselves to open, transparent governance.

We have already seen the Biden administration's outrageous border crisis having allowed more illegal immigrants into the country than the population of 43 U.S. States. Nearly 1,400 pounds of deadly fentanyl has been seized at the border in just a single month, and 367 known suspected terrorists on the international terrorist watch list have crossed the border under the Biden administration.

This administration has waged war against the immigration system of the United States, and the results speak for themselves. It is a total failure. This commonsense amendment is a core part of our mission to reintroduce government accountability and to restore the elected Representatives' voice in the process.

By requiring congressional approval for major regulations, this amendment forces a thorough examination of the potential costs and benefits of proposed rules. This scrutiny is to prevent regulatory overreach, ensuring that regulations are grounded in sound science, economic reasoning, and the overall well-being of the American people, regardless of political affiliation.

Oftentimes, these regulations serve as a mechanism for agencies to sidestep congressional authority in crucial policy decisions. As the core legislative body, it is crucial for us to reaffirm our constitutional role and prevent any unwarranted expansion of regulatory powers.

All in all, my amendment restores the people's voice in these significant Federal agency decisions that impact our everyday lives. Our Nation needs major regulatory reform, and incorporating our amendment is a crucial step forward to a more transparent and accountable government for all Americans.

I encourage and urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure and standing up for our strongly held belief in a democratic government by the people, for the people, in our constitutional Republic.

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Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Chair, may I inquire as to how much time is remaining.

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Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Chairman, in response to the notion that there is actually someone over there in the basement of these Federal agencies listening to the American people who weigh in via comment on these proposed rules and regulations, that is laughable.

In some cases, we have seen agencies take in more than 250,000 comments, different letters, and petitions from concerned citizens, associations, and organizations. They have fallen on deaf ears.

In the case of DHS, they have worked tirelessly to put things up for a proposed rule, things like asylum eligibility and public health. One would think that Members of the people's House would be the ones in charge of dictating asylum process. One would think that it would be Members of Congress who would actually be looking to develop legislation that would cover the modernization of H-2A programs or refugee appearances and interviews or the modernization regulations of nonimmigrant workers.

I could provide hundreds of examples of different proposed rules and regulations that have bypassed Congress, bypassed the people's House, and effectively silenced the American people's voice because we now have unelected, nameless, faceless bureaucrats and a hyperpoliticized administration shoving their political agenda down our throat.

If we are going to restore our Article I authority, it starts here, and it starts now. I encourage all of my colleagues to adopt this amendment. It is common sense. It is good for all parties involved. I don't care what side of the aisle you are on. The facts are exactly the same.

We are elected Representatives for the people and by the people. We need their voice here now more than ever.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

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