Duval Times

On September 18, 2024, Senator Rick Scott joined Senator Rand Paul and Congresswoman Kat Cammack in Washington, D.C., to introduce the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act. The legislation aims to shift power back to Congress from the administrative state. U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn, Steve Daines, Mike Lee, Marco Rubio, and Eric Schmitt are cosponsors in the Senate.

Senator Rick Scott stated, “After nearly four years of the Biden-Harris administration’s gross expansion of the bureaucracy of the federal government and forcing more burdensome regulations on hardworking families, it is time to cut the red tape and Make Washington Work for the American people. I am proud to stand with Senator Rand Paul to hold Washington accountable, get big government out of the way and put some fiscal sense back into Congress.”

Senator Rand Paul emphasized that “The whims of an unaccountable administrative state should never rule our lives. For too long, an ever-growing federal bureaucracy has piled regulations and red tape on the backs of the American people without any approval by Americans’ elected representatives... By making Congress more accountable for the most costly and intrusive federal rules, our REINS Act would give Kentuckians and all Americans a greater voice in determining whether these major rules are truly in America’s best interests.”

Representative Kat Cammack added that "Nameless, faceless, unelected bureaucrats in Washington have had too much power over the American people for far too long... The REINS Act is a critical step toward 'reining' in this unchecked power and restoring lawmaking authority to Congress instead of the executive branch."

Other supporters also voiced their approval. Senator Marsha Blackburn remarked that “The American people deserve a voice against unelected bureaucrats mandating burdensome regulations,” while Senator Steve Daines commented on how Montanans do not want "big government overreach." Senator Mike Lee referenced James Madison's views on legislative complexity and accountability.

Senator Marco Rubio noted that "American entrepreneurs and businesses know all too well how bureaucratic regulation can lead to job-destroying uncertainty," asserting that returning lawmaking power to elected representatives will bring greater transparency.

Senator Eric Schmitt highlighted that "The Supreme Court’s repudiation of Chevron deference doctrine in Loper Bright is not the end of the battle against bureaucracy’s unchecked control but only the beginning."

Several organizations expressed support for REINS Act. Tarren Bragdon from Foundation for Government Accountability discussed its potential economic benefits: "The REINS Act cuts to the core of fundamental questions facing our nation at this critical moment in history." Ryan Walker from Heritage Action praised it as a measure to restore legal rights: “For years, the executive branch has grown its power and subverted the will of people by imposing expensive rules.”

David McIntosh from Club For Growth emphasized returning Article 1 lawmaking authority to Congress: “We applaud Sen. Rand Paul for his work... Every member of Congress should support this commonsense plan.” Clyde Wayne Crews Jr. and Fred L. Smith Jr., Fellows at Competitive Enterprise Institute, stressed its importance for congressional oversight.

Ryan Young from Competitive Enterprise Institute said regulatory agencies need reminding that they cannot make any rules they want: "The new version's expanded protections make REINS even more urgent."

James Carter from America First Policy Institute declared federal regulation out of control: "It's time for Congress to REINS it in.” George Landrith from Frontiers of Freedom Institute pointed out democracy principles: “Any who opposes REINS Act is clearly not a fan of democracy.”

Under REINS Act provisions, major rules must be approved by both chambers of Congress before being signed by President. A major rule is defined as having an economic impact exceeding $100 million annually or causing significant adverse effects on economy.

New additions include defenses for individuals unaware their actions violated unclear laws and rights to sue agencies implementing major rules without congressional approval. The LIBERTY Act mandates congressional approval for agency guidance with substantial economic impacts while exempting deregulatory actions from needing such approvals.

More details about REINS Act can be found [here].