PublicationsInsights on Current Policy Issues

• Memorandum Interpreting the “Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth” Executive Order
  May 16, 2017

  By Frank Vlossak

  On May 8, 2017, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a memorandum titled “Guidance for Section 2 of Executive Order 13783, titled ‘Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth’”. E.O. 13783 directs federal agencies to review, and potentially suspend, revise or repeal, existing regulations that “burden domestic energy production.”

   

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• EPA Initiates Regulatory Review in Response to Executive Order
  April 19, 2017

  By Frank Vlossak

  On April 13, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a notice in the Federal Register soliciting public comments “on regulations that may be appropriate for repeal, replacement, or modification.” The notice is part of the EPA’s efforts to implement the Executive Order titled “Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda” (E.O. 13777), which was signed by President Trump on February 24, 2017. The deadline for submitting public comments is May 15, 2017. EPA offices will also be conducting public forums on regulatory reform over the next four weeks. The Executive Order establishes mechanisms intended to reduce regulations, including by implementing the President’s January 30, 2017 Executive Order (E.O. 13771) which calls for agencies to eliminate two regulations for each new regulation they promulgate.

   

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• Update on Congressional Review Act Resolutions
  April 12, 2017

  By Frank Vlossak

  Congress enacted the “Congressional Review Act” (CRA) as part of the “Contract with America Advancement Act” (P.L. 104-121) in 1996 and it is codified at 5 U.S.C. 801-808. The CRA established an expedited process for Congress to repeal recently promulgated regulations through passage of joint resolutions signed into law by the President. As of April 7, the President has signed eleven CRA resolutions into law. The House and Senate have passed two more, which the President is expected to sign. Activity on CRA resolutions will begin to wind down as the statutory cut-off for action on resolutions to repeal final rules issued during the 114th Congress is expected to occur no later than early May.

   

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