The United States Supreme Court issued significant rulings last week generating much discussion and debate from the Affordable Care Act to same-sex marriage. Behind those headlines were other significant rulings. One other notable ruling came down earlier this week on Monday (June 29) which set guidelines for a government bureaucracy frequently acting without speaking to or considering the very people it impacts. Iowans know this bureaucracy far too well – the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The court ruled in Michigan v. EPA, the EPA must consider costs before deciding whether its proposed regulations are “appropriate and necessary.” This decision is more monumental than we might realize, especially in the battle to keep in check a federal agency on its way to setting new records in issuing rules and regulations – each one coming with a price tag hitting our job creators and workers. The case reviewed by the court centered on one regulation estimated to annually cost our economy $10 billion. That’s a big number. And this decision is a big deal.
I am dedicated to fighting out-of-control federal regulations. These regulations are estimated to cost taxpayers almost $2 trillion a year. Earlier this year, I voted for and the House passed H.R. 185 – the Regulatory Accountability Act. This bill helps rein in regulations harming job creators and workers. This commonsense legislation requires bureaucrats to institute regulations based on sound data and science and at the lowest possible cost to our economy.
Most recently, I supported and the House passed H.R. 2042 – the Ratepayer Protection Act. This smart legislation helps shield families and job creators from double-digit energy price hikes by delaying new federal rules impacting power producers. Instead of a federal agency instituting a plan, this bill allows governors, working with their state officials, to make these types of decisions. This results in better policies truly reflecting the realities, needs and differences of the people, made closer to them, at the state level.
Job creators – small business owners, entrepreneurs, and farmers and ranchers alike – all across Iowa and this country are feeling the heavy hand of the federal government. In my meetings across the district, Iowans tell me they are frustrated and fearful of these oppressive and growing federal regulatory power grabs imposed on them and the impact they have on their communities.
I came to Congress to keep an eye on our federal government and promote transparency and accountability to help bring about a better and an efficiently managed government for Iowans. To be effective, we need action. And I will continue to work with my colleagues – on both sides of the aisle – to look at problems, find solutions and deliver results.