Conservatives battle against Biden’s bureaucracy.

Conservatives Battle Against Biden Administration’s Abuse of Executive Authority

Conservatives are fiercely opposing the Biden administration, not only for its actions but also for what they perceive as a long-standing abuse of executive authority.

President Joe Biden has consistently vetoed congressional efforts to limit his authority, and it is expected that he will do the same if the Regulations from the Executive In Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act reaches his desk.

Biden’s Opposition to the REINS Act

“The nation faces serious challenges, and this administration’s policy is to mobilize the power of the federal government to address those issues swiftly and effectively,”

reads a White House statement opposing the bill.

“The REINS Act of 2023 would undermine agencies’ efforts by inserting into the regulatory process an unwieldy, unnecessary, and time-consuming hurdle that would prevent implementation of critical safeguards.”

The REINS Act primarily targets rulemaking from the executive branch, requiring that any new “major rule” proposed by federal agencies must receive approval from both the House and Senate before taking effect. A major rule is defined as any federal regulation that may have a significant economic impact, affect consumer prices, or have adverse effects on competition, employment, and investment.

Introduced by Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL), the bill passed with a vote of 221-210 on June 14. However, its chances in the Democratic-controlled Senate are slim, and it would likely face a veto from President Biden if it were to reach his desk.

Conservative Concerns and Biden’s Vetoes

Conservatives are particularly upset with several actions taken by the Biden administration. Congress has passed bills this year to end the $400 billion student debt transfer, overturn a Labor Department rule regarding retirement plan investments, and repeal the Waters of the United States rules. President Biden vetoed all of these bills, leaving the decision-making power in the hands of unelected government officials.

Another bill recently passed by the House, aimed at preventing gas stove bans, could also face a veto from President Biden.

Republicans now view the executive branch as out of control, with Rep. Cammack stating, “There is a new fourth branch of government, and it’s the regulatory regime.” The REINS Act seeks to restore Congress’s oversight powers and addresses concerns about the size of government and the national debt.

However, Democrats voted against the bill, arguing that it is unnecessary and could hinder policymaking. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) tweeted, “Requiring Congressional approval for rules by a federal agency is unnecessary because Congress already has the power to disapprove & limit regulations.”

Conservative Efforts to Engage the Public

Aside from the REINS Act, conservative leaders have taken steps to involve the public in the regulatory process. They have created comment portals to make it easier for individuals to voice their opposition to proposed agency rules.

Jessica Anderson, executive director of Heritage Action, stated, “[The Biden] administration has tried to bypass Congress and use the federal rulemaking process to dictate so many aspects of Americans’ lives.” Anderson’s group has launched portals to gather comments against Biden’s proposed transgender sports rules and gas stove regulations, receiving over 32,000 comments to date.

On the other hand, left-leaning groups oppose the REINS Act, defending the regulatory powers of Congress and the expertise of government agencies. The National Association of Educators argues that the formulation of regulations should consider input from experts, practitioners, and impacted parties, as well as scientific data and other relevant information.

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