H.R.77 - Midnight Rules Relief Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.77, the Midnight Rules Relief Act, aims to amend Title 5 of the United States Code, specifically concerning the Congressional Review Act. The bill seeks to allow Congress to consider multiple resolutions of disapproval for "midnight rules" en bloc. These rules are defined as those submitted during the final year of a President's term.
Expected Effects
If enacted, H.R.77 would streamline the process by which Congress can disapprove multiple regulations issued at the end of a presidential administration. This could lead to a more efficient rollback of regulations deemed undesirable by the incoming administration and Congress. The change affects the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches regarding regulatory oversight.
Potential Benefits
- Increased Congressional Oversight: Allows for more efficient review and potential disapproval of regulations issued at the end of a presidential term.
- Reduced Regulatory Burden: Could lead to the removal of regulations perceived as burdensome or unnecessary.
- Greater Accountability: Holds outgoing administrations accountable for regulations issued in their final year.
- Streamlined Legislative Process: En bloc consideration saves time compared to individual reviews.
- Potential for Faster Policy Changes: Facilitates quicker adjustments to regulatory policy with changes in administration.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for Partisan Abuse: Could be used to quickly overturn regulations based on political grounds rather than merit.
- Reduced Deliberation: En bloc consideration may lead to less thorough review of individual regulations.
- Regulatory Uncertainty: Frequent changes in regulations can create instability for businesses and individuals.
- Disregard for Agency Expertise: Congress may override regulations without fully considering the technical expertise of regulatory agencies.
- Increased Political Polarization: The act could exacerbate political divisions by enabling rapid policy reversals.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with Article I, Section 1 of the Constitution, which vests all legislative powers in Congress. By amending the Congressional Review Act, H.R.77 reinforces Congress's role in overseeing and potentially disapproving executive branch regulations. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).