The clock has run out on special rules that allowed Republicans to repeal more than a dozen Obama-era regulations.
The GOP-led House and Senate, along with President Donald Trump, wiped 13 regulations off the books, and a 14th is about to be signed into law, using the Congressional Review Act.
The act allows a simple majority in the House and Senate to repeal regulations, as long as Congress acts within 60 legislative days after the rules are made final.
Time ran out on May 11 and was commemorated by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who praised the GOP’s heavy use of the CRA. Prior to this year, the law had used just once since it was signed into law in 1996.
Republicans in both chambers began voting to undo eligible Obama administration regulations almost as soon as the new Congress began in January.
“In just a few short months, we’ve turned a significant corner on how things operated under the Obama administration,” McConnell said. “Instead of going around Congress to push through regulations, the president is working with us to ease the burden. Instead of adding even more red tape to the federal register, we’re breaking through it. Instead of promoting policies that hinder growth, we’re pursuing ones that actually encourage it.”
The 14 regulations cleared off the books include the “stream protection rule.” That rule was aimed at curbing pollution, but the coal industry and other critics said it amounted to governmental overreach that would cripple the coal mining industry.
Congress repealed other regulations enacted under Obama by the Departments of Labor, Education, Interior and Defense, as well as the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Federal Communications Commission.
Republicans have touted the CRAs as an important part of their agenda. Among the GOP campaign promises was one to undo burdensome Obama regulations.
“From reforming our education system to properly managing our nation’s resources, our Congressional Review Act legislation empowers states over the federal government,” said Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis. “This will free up innovation and create jobs in the private sector. We will continue to reverse bad regulations and stand up for the American workforce.”
Democrats have denounced the House and Senate-passed CRAs, even though they helped it become law more than two decades ago.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., went to the Senate floor after McConnell and said the CRAs only help special interests and not working Americans.
He pointed to the rollback of a rule that would have lifted liability rules retirement plans run by states and some local governments. Republicans said the rule left retirement savings vulnerable, but Schumer said it would make it harder for states and local governments to help people save for retirement.
And Schumer downplayed the passage of the CRAs as any great victory for the GOP.
“The fact that they are bragging about these highlights how little else they accomplished legislatively,” Schumer said.
