U.S. Sens. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) and Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) recently joined U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) in introducing a bill to help put power back in the people’s hands instead of the "out-of-control administrative state."
Called the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act, the legislation would require congressional approval of any major rule with an economic impact of $100 million or more. Any major rule drafted would require approval by both chambers of Congress and then the president's signature rather than automatically taking effect unless Congress specifically disapproves.
According to Britt, the bill would "literally rein in our out-of-control administrative state," which she warned was harmful to Alabamians and wasting taxpayer money.
“The REINS Act will literally rein in our out-of-control administrative state that is harming Alabamians and wasting taxpayer dollars. Unelected bureaucrats should be responsible for following the laws Congress passes—not usurping Congress through executive rulemakings,” Britt outlined. “The Constitution explicitly vests the authority and responsibility to make laws in the legislative branch. It’s time to restore this power and increase transparency and accountability to the American people.”
Tubeville, on a Wednesday press call, emphasized the importance of properly vetting taxpayer money "to ensure it's not funding silly pet projects."
"Our legislation does exactly what it says: it reins in government spending by making it harder for D.C. bureaucrats, not elected officials, but bureaucrats to spend your hard-earned taxpayer dollars," Tuberville said of the act.
"Every dime of taxpayer money should be properly vetted to ensure it's not funding silly pet projects like why the sky's blue or why a rooster crows. This is another safeguard to make sure your taxpayer dollars aren't bankrolling the left's radical, woke agenda."
Paul, who has introduced the REINS Act every Congress since taking office, said the act would make Congress "more accountable for the most costly and intrusive federal rules."
“The whims of an unaccountable administrative state should never rule our lives," Paul declared. "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."
Also co-sponsoring the legislation in the Senate are U.S. Sens Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), James Risch (R-Wis.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) and Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.).
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email trent.baker@1819news.com.
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
