©2025 League of Conservation Voters
2023
221
210
2
Issues
Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL) sponsored H.R. 277, the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2023 (REINS Act), to establish a duplicative congressional approval process for important regulations. The bill would require both houses of Congress to affirmatively approve all significant new agency actions to protect the environment, workers, consumers, and public health before they take effect. This is a tool for polluters and other corporate interests to scuttle new health and environmental safeguards. It is redundant given that Congress already has the first, second, and last word on agency rulemaking; Congress established the agencies, funded them, provided their authority, passed the statutes they implement, and retains not just oversight power and continuing authorization and appropriations authority, but also the option to disapprove of final agency actions via the Congressional Review Act. The REINS Act would effectively delay or even shut down the implementation of existing laws, which could mean more premature deaths, illnesses, climate-change fueled disasters, and other health impacts at the hands of polluters dumping toxins into our air, water, and lands. On June 14, the House approved H.R. 277 by a vote of 221-210 (House roll call vote 265). NO IS THE PRO-ENVIRONMENT VOTE.
©2025 League of Conservation Voters