The House of Representatives last night passed H.R. 469, the Sunshine for Regulations and Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2017, which 9th District Congressman Doug Collins introduced to stop federal agencies from establishing regulations through litigation as a means of circumventing the legislative process. The Congressman also managed the rule on H.R. 469 and issued the following statement in response to the bill’s passage:
The House took action today to draw back the curtain on federal agencies that have colluded with special interest groups at the expense of American workers and families. A government by and for the people has no business allowing unelected bureaucrats to redraft laws behind closed doors, and I introduced the Sunshine for Regulations and Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act to end this practice decisively.
This bill’s passage comes on the heels of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision last week to end the sue-and-settle arrangements pursued by the Obama Administration. Collins praised the EPA decision, which reflects the principles outlined in the Sunshine Act and underscores the need for Congress to cement the Trump Administration’s move as law that would apply to future administrations. H.R. 469 will now go to the Senate for consideration.