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News & Analysis | REG•WATCH Blog | Press Room
Friday, February 09, 2007
House Oversight on Bush's E.O. Amendments
On Feb. 13, the House will hold a joint subcommittee hearing titled, "Amending Executive Order 12866: Good Governance or Regulatory Usurpation?" The hearing will include testimony by former OIRA administrator Sally Katzen, Georgetown law professor David Vladeck, and OMB Watch's own Rick Melberth.
On Jan. 18, President Bush issued a slew of amendments to Executive Order 12866 — Regulatory Planning and Review. The amendments vary in their specific impact, but share the goal of slowing the regulatory process. On Jan. 30, The New York Times published a front page story on the amendments, pushing the issue into the national spotlight. Now, the House Science and Technology Committee Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight and the House Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law (say that three times fast) will hold a joint hearing to investigate.
It is heartening to see Congress exercise its oversight power. Bush's decision to amend the regulatory process undermines our nation's public health and safety protections. Furthermore, it shifts certain Congressional powers into the White House, and shows Mr. Bush's contempt for the people's branch of government. Let's hope the White House is paying attention this Tuesday.
Posted by Matt Madia
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