Sen. Mike Rounds proposes congressional committee to review agency rules

Washington – A resolution proposed by freshman lawmaker Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) would create a joint committee to review and oversee federal agency rulemaking.

The Regulation Sensibility Through Oversight Restoration Resolution (S. Con. Res. 17) would establish the Joint Select Committee on Regulatory Reform, which would review current regulations through hearings and look for ways to reduce or eliminate outdated rules. The committee also would be tasked with recommending options for giving Congress a role in reviewing new rules before they are enacted. If passed, the resolution will “permanently end regulation without representation,” Rounds said June 2 during his first Senate floor speech.

“Rules are meant to keep us safe and to promote the greater good, and I do believe there are some good rules and regulations which are on the books today,” he said. “The problem I have is with the bad rules that keep good people from going about their daily lives. Unfortunately, there are too many of these bad rules that are hindering our freedoms and stifling our growth. These are the regulations which we should have a process in place to re-examine.”

Rounds introduced the RESTORE Resolution in March; it was referred to the Rules and Administration Committee on May 20.