Today, U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) and the House of Representatives passed legislation that would restore the separation of powers among the nation’s three branches of government.

The bill, the Separation of Powers Restoration Act, would require courts to take a fresh look at what Congress intended in statute in cases where parties are challenging whether an agency has rightly or wrongly interpreted the will of Congress in regulations. As it stands now, courts defer to agency interpretation.

“With passage of today’s bill, the House takes another step in restoring the separation of powers within our nation’s three branches of government,” Luetkemeyer said. “With the reforms laid out in this legislation, it will assure that the judiciary branch will once again provide a vigorous check and balance against overreaching federal regulatory agencies. Further, this bill should deter agencies from unlawfully interpreting statutes and proposing onerous regulations. As a co-sponsor of this legislation, I was proud to join my colleagues in supporting this vital legislation on the House floor.”