How Barack Obama Can Take a Fast Track to Undoing Last-Minute Bush Regulations
By Bonnie Erbe, Thomas Jefferson Street blog
It seems as if every president, on the way out the door, issues a whole bunch of last-minute regulations, causing the next president's staff to spend several months of precious time figuring out how to undo them. President Clinton, never seen as an environmental hero during most of his eight years in office, issued scores of such resolutions protecting millions of acres of federal land on his way out the door, to the cheers of environmentalists and the jeers of corporate developers.
During his early tenure, President Bush undid much of Clinton's protection, opening the same lands to mining, drilling, snowmobiles, and all manner of destruction.
Now, President-elect Obama is looking for new ways to end this game of musical chairs. Congressional Democrats may have found one:
For that reason, Democrats say that they are also considering using the Congressional Review Act of 1996, an obscure and rarely used process that sets up fast-track procedures to overturn regulations. The law allows Congress to rescind a rule by passing a "resolution of disapproval," which cannot be filibustered. The resolution also requires presidential approval and can be invoked only for a few months after a rule is issued.
Only federal procedure geeks (present company included) and lobbyists may care, but the American public should get interested, because many important laws are planted or uprooted in this fashion. The impact on healthcare, the environment, education, and other critical programs can be staggering.
- Read more by Bonnie Erbe.
- Read more from the Thomas Jefferson Street blog.
Tags: Barack Obama | George W. Bush | Bush administration | Obama administration
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Reader Comments
Why Question Sanity in policy matters?
I am not a left wing nut. I am rather sane. Why do you question the sanity rather than the impact of legislation. I would say that the definition of insane is known to be to try the same thing over again and expect a different result. By definition doesn't that mean that its far more sane to abandon failed Bush policies on the environment. I'd say that the recent coal ash spills should be a reminder of just how costly laxity has been.
"ALL MANNER OF DESTRUCTION..." ?
When the government closes "public lands" they closed them to all forms of recreation, access and development. Maybe you like staying in the city and sitting in front of your glowing tube all day, but some of us like to be able to actually use out public lands. And you know Bonnie, it's darn hard to use those lands when all the access roads have been closed with a locked gate.
You really haven't a clue....
"all manner of destruction"
You’re a left wing nut. These lands need to be used for the benefit of the American people. You complain about the lack of fuel or gas prices. You complain about the economy and jobs. You complain about everything YOU don't like, and that is all you do is complain.
These regulations that you so gladly want have unintended consciences, higher gas prices, lower employment, and less opportunity for Americans.
How about you stop writing and try running a profitable business, so you can see the barriers that the government is putting in place.
Oh, I know you want the rest of the country to be like California - $40 billion in debt because they have run businesses,and tax dollars, out of the state and they are in the process of running more across the border. Great model.
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