Press Releases

The U.S. House of Representatives today overwhelmingly passed legislation backed by Congressman Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (GA-01) to limit the federal government’s ability to enact new regulations without congressional approval.  The Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act would require congressional approval for any federal regulation with an economic impact of $100 million or more.

“America’s hardworking job creators are under attack by federal regulations,” Carter said. “Since President Obama took office in 2008, more small businesses have closed than opened. Having owned and operated a small business myself, I can tell you overregulation is a direct cause.  Small businesses are the backbone of our nation and the cost of complying continues to increase. In Georgia alone, 1.5 million workers are employed by small businesses and it is past time to cut the regulatory red tape. The REINS Act will work to change the trajectory of America’s job creators to build them up instead of bringing them down.”

The Congressional Budget Office estimates that over the last five years, the Obama Administration has issued 82 “major rules” – or rules with more than $100 million in economic impact – each year. These regulations are especially hard for America’s small businesses.

The REINS Act passed the House today by a vote of 243-165 and now goes to the Senate for further consideration.