New language being floated for the Republicans’ megabill would halt proposed federal regulations that generate financial impacts not explicitly authorized by Congress.
Text obtained by POLITICO’s E&E News that is currently under review by the Budget Committee would authorize the White House to review all proposed agency rules with “a non-negligible budgetary effect.” Rules that would spend more than $100 million, and are not directly tied to a law authorizing such spending, would be cut.
The text, which could be added to the budget reconciliation bill through an amendment or another procedure, is reminiscent of the “Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act,” which would give Congress final say over all major federal rules.
Energy and Natural Resources Chair Mike Lee (R-Utah) has been working on what he calls “REINS-lite,” a version of the legislation intended to be more budgetary so it conforms with reconciliation rules.
