PRESS RELEASE
-For Immediate Release-
December 7, 2011

Contact: Brian Gumm, (202) 683-4812, bgumm@ombwatch.org

House Attack on Public Protections Continues with Passage of the REINS Act

WASHINGTON, Dec. 7, 2011—The House today passed the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Geoff Davis (R-KY), represents an extreme attack on safeguards that protect our environment, food, children's toys, workplaces, health, civil rights, and economy.

"If the REINS Act were enacted, it would undermine the ability of federal agencies to enforce existing laws and prevent the executive branch from carrying out its mission to protect the health and welfare of the American people," said OMB Watch President Katherine McFate.

The REINS Act would require congressional approval of all new, major health, safety, and environmental rules. Under the bill, if rules are not approved by both houses of Congress within 70 legislative days, those rules would be "tabled" – in other words, they would die.

"Pushed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and anti-government ideologues, the REINS Act is a backdoor way for irresponsible corporations to circumvent the system of consumer protections that has grown up over the past 40 years," McFate continued. "Conservative politicians know Americans would not stand for the repeal of these critical safeguards for American families, so instead of taking direct action on protective legislation, they keep trying to make enforcement impossible."

The Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and other protective statutes are very popular with the American people and are the envy of other countries.

The REINS Act now moves to the Senate, where it is sponsored by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY). More information on the bill is available at http://www.ombwatch.org/reinsact.

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