H.R.77 - Midnight Rules Relief Act (119th Congress)
Summary
The Midnight Rules Relief Act (H.R.77) aims to amend Title 5 of the United States Code, specifically concerning the process for disapproving "midnight rules." These are regulations finalized during the final year of a President's term. The Act allows Congress to consider multiple "midnight rules" in a single resolution of disapproval, streamlining the process of potentially overturning them.
Expected Effects
This act will likely make it easier for Congress to overturn regulations issued at the end of a presidential term. It consolidates the disapproval process, potentially leading to more efficient legislative action on such rules. This could result in fewer regulations taking effect during presidential transitions.
Potential Benefits
- Streamlined process for disapproving multiple regulations.
- Increased congressional oversight of executive branch rulemaking.
- Potential reduction in the number of last-minute regulations implemented.
- Greater accountability for regulations issued during presidential transitions.
- Could prevent rushed or poorly vetted regulations from taking effect.
Potential Disadvantages
- May lead to politically motivated overturning of regulations.
- Could disrupt regulatory stability and create uncertainty for businesses.
- May reduce the ability of agencies to address urgent issues at the end of a presidential term.
- Could disproportionately impact regulations addressing social or environmental concerns.
- Potential for increased political gridlock and legislative battles over regulations.
Constitutional Alignment
The Act appears to align with the Constitution's Article I, Section 1, which vests legislative powers in Congress. By streamlining the process for congressional review of regulations, it reinforces Congress's role in overseeing the executive branch. The Act 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).