Reducing Burdensome Regulations
Last week, I wrote that the House would be pursuing measures designed to reform our federal regulatory system. As part of "Stop Government Abuse Week," we cast a number of votes this week to do just that.
Of note, we passed H.R. 2804, the ALERRT Act. This legislation represents an important effort to bring common sense and transparency to an out-of-control regulatory process that is stifling growth, especially among small businesses. I was especially pleased that the Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act, legislation I helped author as Chairman of the House Small Business Committee, was incorporated into the ALERRT Act.
For over 30 years, agencies have been required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act, or RFA, to examine the impacts of regulations on small businesses. If those impacts are significant, agencies must consider alternatives. However, agencies still fail to fully comply with the law. In numerous hearings over the years, the Small Business Committee has heard about the consequences that burdensome regulations have on farmers, home builders, manufacturers, and many others.
The Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act eliminates loopholes that agencies have used to avoid compliance with the RFA. It requires agencies to genuinely scrutinize the impacts of regulations on small businesses before they're finalized, not wait until after the fact to witness the negative effects. Reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens frees up scarce time, money, and resources that small businesses can use to expand their operations and hire new employees.
The Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act is bipartisan legislation that has the strong support of the business community. It simply requires agencies to do their homework before they regulate. If agencies do their work, more Americans will be working.
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Sincerely,