Dear Friend of OMB Watch: The Senate is considering an important provision that would stop the latest White House interference in the regulatory process. President Bush's efforts to undermine the ability of federal agencies to protect the public will take effect July 24 unless Congress acts to stop him. Take Action! Tell your senators to support this provision. Bush is attempting to make sweeping changes to the regulatory process. In January, he issued Executive Order 13422, and the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued its final good guidance bulletin. Together, these executive decrees would: - Require Regulatory Policy Officers, a position in each agency, to now be political appointees the Senate will not get to approve, and expand their power to be able to quash regulations before the public ever knows about them.
- Shift the criterion for promulgating regulations from the identification of a problem like public health or environmental protection to the identification of a market failure, leaving the definition of market failure in the hands of OMB reviewers.
- Sweep guidance documents - statements agencies use to clarify policy and better enforce regulations - into a White House review process, creating the possibility of endless delay.
But Congress can stop these dangerous changes from taking place. The Senate is considering a provision that would prohibit the White House from using appropriated funds to implement the executive order and good guidance bulletin. The "defunding" provision would be included in the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill. The House has already approved similar legislation. The bill is still moving through the Senate Appropriations Committee and will reach the Senate floor very soon. Contact your senators now to tell them to support defunding Bush's regulatory takeover. Your voice is needed as a powerful lobby is forming to stop the defunding effort. Organizations such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce have already launched a campaign to kill the defunding measure. They support White House efforts to take over the rulemaking system. Key senators have told us that your voice is needed as a counterbalance. So contact your senators today! Tell your senators to support the defunding provision that would stop White House interference in the regulatory process. Sincerely,
Gary D. Bass
Executive Director |