H.R.es369 - Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Secretary of Health and Human Services should withdraw a reduction in public notice and comment opportunities. (119th Congress)
Summary
H.Res.369 expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) should withdraw a reduction in public notice and comment opportunities related to rulemaking. The resolution highlights the importance of public participation in regulatory processes for fair and sound policy formulation. It emphasizes that open rulemaking mitigates arbitrary, harmful, and ill-advised regulations.
Expected Effects
If the Secretary of HHS withdraws the reduction in public notice and comment opportunities, the existing practices as of February 27, 2025, which involve the public in rulemaking procedures, would remain in effect. This would ensure continued input from program beneficiaries, state and local governments, human services providers, and organizations whenever HHS regulatory changes are proposed. The resolution aims to maintain transparency and public engagement in the regulatory process.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced transparency in HHS rulemaking.
- Continued opportunity for stakeholders to provide input on regulations.
- Mitigation of arbitrary or harmful regulatory changes.
- Promotion of fair and sound policy formulation.
- Protection of the interests of program beneficiaries and other affected parties.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential delays in implementing new regulations due to extended comment periods.
- Increased administrative burden on HHS to manage and respond to public comments.
- Possibility of regulations being influenced by special interest groups.
- Risk of public comments being used to obstruct or delay necessary regulatory updates.
- Could lead to more complex and lengthy rulemaking processes.
Constitutional Alignment
The resolution aligns with the spirit of the First Amendment, which protects the right of the people to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. While the Administrative Procedure Act isn't explicitly mentioned in the Constitution, the concept of public notice and comment supports the broader principles of transparency and accountability in governance. This aligns with the Constitution's aim to form a more perfect Union and promote the general Welfare.
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).