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 review and potential disapproval of "midnight rules." These rules are defined as those submitted during the final year of a President's term. The act allows Congress to consider multiple such rules in a single resolution of disapproval, streamlining the process of overturning them.
Expected Effects
This act will likely expedite the process by which Congress can review and potentially overturn regulations issued at the end of a presidential term. It could lead to a more efficient use of congressional time when dealing with a large number of regulations issued in a short period. The practical effect is to give a new Congress and President greater power to quickly undo the actions of a prior administration.
Potential Benefits
- Increased Congressional Efficiency: Allows for en bloc consideration of multiple rules, saving time.
- Greater Accountability: Provides a mechanism to quickly address regulations perceived as undesirable.
- Reduced Regulatory Burden: Could lead to the removal of regulations deemed unnecessary or harmful.
- Enhanced Political Control: Empowers the incoming administration and Congress to shape policy more effectively.
- Streamlined Governance: Simplifies the process of regulatory review and adjustment.
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 rules.
- Regulatory Uncertainty: Frequent overturning of regulations can create instability for businesses and individuals.
- Undermining Agency Expertise: Disregarding regulations without proper consideration of agency expertise.
- Increased Political Polarization: May exacerbate political divisions by allowing for rapid policy reversals.
Constitutional Alignment
The act aligns with Article I, Section 1 of the Constitution, which grants all legislative powers to Congress. The act modifies the process by which Congress reviews and approves regulations, a power implicitly derived from its legislative authority. There are no apparent conflicts with specific constitutional provisions, although the potential for abuse of power always exists and must be monitored to ensure due process and equal protection are maintained.
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).