GOP fall regulations agenda takes shape

{mosads}Gilfillan added that EPA staff have recommended maintaining or tightening the standard. This possibility has provoked GOP fears.

But Gilfillan stressed that the EPA has “no plans to put stricter standards in place.”

On cement, the GOP is looking to advance the bipartisan Cement Sector Regulatory Relief Act of 2011 (H.R. 2681), introduced July 28. The bill addresses a 2010 Portland cement emissions rule and two follow-up regulations.

The bill is sponsored by Reps. John Sullivan (R-Okla.), Mike Ross (D-Ark.), Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), Bob Latta (R-Ohio), Greg Walden (R-Ore.), Joe Barton (R-Texas), John Carter (R-Texas), Charlie Dent (R-Pa.), Dan Boren (D-Okla.) and Jason Altmire (D-Pa.). The sponsors say it would give regulators more time to come up with fairer emissions standards for the cement kilns.

The 2011 Interior Appropriations bill also contains a rider that prohibits the EPA from implementing the rule.

Cantor’s opinion piece also mentions that the GOP plans “to prevent the [National Labor Relations Board] from inhibiting where a business chooses to create jobs.”

Rep. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) introduced the Protecting Jobs From Government Interference Act in July as a response to an NLRB complaint against Boeing. Having cleared a Rules Committee debate last month, the bill is now ready for floor consideration.

The measure would prevent the NLRB from ordering companies to relocate production lines or make investments in particular plants. The NLRB has argued that Boeing is moving production to South Carolina — a right-to-work state — to punish unionized workers in Washington state.

GOP sources have also said the House conference plans to move on the REINS Act in September. That bill would require up-or-down votes in Congress on every major business regulation.