Rounds Introduces RESTORE to Address Regulatory Reform

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) recently introduced a bipartisan resolution to permanently address federal overregulation in America. The Regulation Sensibility Through Oversight Restoration (RESTORE) Resolution of 2024 would establish a Joint Select Committee to conduct a comprehensive review of rules enacted by federal agencies and analyze the feasibility and options for creating a rules review process in Congress. The committee would also hold hearings on the effects of these rules and recommend ways to reduce the regulatory burden on the American people.

"The Founding Fathers never intended for unelected bureaucrats in D.C. to make rules and regulations, enforceable as law, that circumvent the will of Congress. In the wake of Chevron being overturned by the Supreme Court, the time is now to address federal overregulation," said Rounds. "In an effort to rein in the federal government, this bipartisan bill would provide a rules review of the most burdensome rules like Waters of the United States (WOTUS). The review process would hear these cases and would have the ability to sunset or repeal."

In June, The Supreme Court overturned Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council which had allowed federal agencies to interpret ambiguous statue. Now, the Supreme Court has ruled that courts should rely on their own interpretation of ambiguous laws, not federal agencies. For more than 40 years while Chevron was in effect, it was cited by federal courts more than 18,000 times.

Every year, there are between 3,000 - 4,500 final rules issued by more than 50 federal agencies. This bill would give a comprehensive review of rules already issued by federal agencies as well as any new rules being proposed that cost $50 million or more.

Background:

The RESTORE Resolution would create a Joint Select Committee consisting of members of both the Senate and House of Representatives. The committee would:

• Analyze the feasibility of a permanent joint rules review committee to:
  • Review all rules causing an annual impact on the economy of $50 million or more before the rule is enacted.
  • Delay the imposition of rules for review to the Permanent Joint Rules Review Committee.
• Analyze the feasibility of requiring each federal agency to submit each proposed rule over $50 million to the appropriate committees of Congress for review before the rule is enacted.
• Conduct a systematic review of rules enacted by federal agencies.
• Hold hearings on the effects of current rules and look for ways to reduce the regulatory overreach.
• Submit to Congress recommendations for a process to sunset overly burdensome and unnecessary rules, as well as a process for federal agencies to submit rules to Congress for review before they are enacted.
• Submit to Congress recommendations for ways to reduce the financial burden these regulations place on American families.
• Recommend whether Congress should overturn rules that do not align with the intent of laws passed by Congress by enacting a joint resolution of disapproval.
• Submit a list of rules that should be repealed.

Original cosponsors for the RESTORE Resolution include Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.).

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