Should we strengthen Congressional authority over the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA)?
Bill Summary
This bill will make the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), an agency within the White House Office of Management and Budget that reviews significant regulations, more accountable to Congress by authorizing it in statute. This would codify many executive orders and practices of the federal government related to the process of issuing federal regulations. The legislation also would expand the role of OIRA in the regulatory process and authorize OIRA to review rules proposed by certain independent federal agencies. Sponsor: Rep. Mitchell, Paul [R-MI-10]
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Opponents say
• This bill would require independent agencies to submit rules to OIRA for review, which would be a noticeable change, and would “enshrine into law allegations of interference by the White House”, according to representative Elijah Cummings.
• This bill is part of a dangerous deregulatory agenda under the current administration to place corporate profits before protecting working Americans, small businesses, and consumers.
• This bill would in effect rewrite dozens of public interest laws containing congressional mandates that require agencies to prioritize public health and safety and the preservation of the environment, clean air, and clean water.
• Gives the President the power to impose multiple new analytical requirements on independent agencies and to engage in unprecedented interference with their regulations, through intrusive reviews by OIRA.
• This bill is part of a dangerous deregulatory agenda under the current administration to place corporate profits before protecting working Americans, small businesses, and consumers.
• This bill would in effect rewrite dozens of public interest laws containing congressional mandates that require agencies to prioritize public health and safety and the preservation of the environment, clean air, and clean water.
• Gives the President the power to impose multiple new analytical requirements on independent agencies and to engage in unprecedented interference with their regulations, through intrusive reviews by OIRA.
Proponents say
• Agencies determine whether their rules are significant according to a cost-benefit analysis of their own making, leaving said agencies wide discretion as to which rules should undergo scrutiny by OIRA in the rulemaking process.
• Rule-making agencies have too much power to create regulatory rules without the people’s consent; by holding OIRA accountable to Congress we hold it accountable to the people, since Congress is comprised of elected officials.
• "This legislation would strengthen the Congressional authority over the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs to ensure it functions effectively as the first line of defense to stop overly burdensome regulations,” said Representative Mitchell, who introduced the bill.
• Rule-making agencies have too much power to create regulatory rules without the people’s consent; by holding OIRA accountable to Congress we hold it accountable to the people, since Congress is comprised of elected officials.
• "This legislation would strengthen the Congressional authority over the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs to ensure it functions effectively as the first line of defense to stop overly burdensome regulations,” said Representative Mitchell, who introduced the bill.
