Continuing his commitment to reducing burdensome and costly federal regulations that stifle economic growth and job creation, U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-9) today voted for the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2011. This legislation would require many federal rules proposed by the executive branch of government to be first approved by Congressbefore they take effect.

“The American people are tired of having  job-killing federal regulations forced down their throats by the executive branch and this legislation would effectively reverse that troubling trend,” said Luetkemeyer, a cosponsor of the REINS Act. “As the voice of the people, members of Congress have an obligation to prevent harmful regulations from being promulgated and should have the authority to repeal costly and unnecessary rules already on the books.”

The legislation, also known as the REINS Act, would require Congress to approve every new rule proposed by the executive branch that has or will likely result in: an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; a major increase in costs or prices; or significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation or U.S. competitiveness. 

In total, regulations now extract some $1.75 tril­lion a year from the economy, according to a report from the federal government’s own Small Business Administration. Regulations raise the price of almost every product and service, while also inhibiting the capi­tal investment and job creation needed to keep the nation’s economy strong.

“Some regulations are certainly necessary, but far too often regulations that do not serve a necessary purpose and have a tremendous negative impact on our economy are promulgated without evaluating their impact on the private sector,” Luetkemeyer said.

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