GOP warned it's speeding towards 'serious mistake' with new act

House Republicans were blasted Monday for pushing forward a law opponents say is designed to hobble agencies responsible for keeping food and drugs safe.

The criticism came as the GOP looks to move forward with the “REINS Act,” according to a report from Politico.

Short for “Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny,” the act would require federal agencies to get Congressional approval before adopting new rules.

This would include rules overseeing public health, food safety, environmental protection, health care, and more.

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) believes that Republicans are “trying to handcuff the agencies that work to make sure that our food and drugs are safe and our air and water are clean.”

Raskin, who is also the ranking member on the House Judiciary Committee, slammed the provision that would allow Congress to repeal numerous regulations through the use of a single resolution.

He asserted that such action would be used to “hide the most destructive deregulatory votes among dozens of others, completely burying it in darkness.” He added, “This is not what the American people are looking for.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson told Politico’s E&E News he is expecting the REINS Act to be in the final budget package.

Democrats and progressive advocates argue that the REINS Act could empower congressional majorities to reject regulations they oppose.

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This would allow partisan divisions to effectively sideline rules crafted by dedicated experts across federal agencies.

The House has passed the REINS Act several times, but it has been slapped down in the Senate each time.

This is because it threatens the Senate filibuster. “That’s why backers think the reconciliation package is their best shot for the foreseeable future,” Politico wrote.

“It would be a war on regulations,” said Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), the minority whip. “To take that authority away from the executive branch would be a serious mistake.”

Supporters say lawmakers need to be able to sign off on certain agency regulations in order to check the executive branch’s broad powers.

They also believe that increased congressional oversight for rules that have significant impacts on individuals and industries is essential.