GOP lawmaker pushes bill to reduce federal regulations

Originally introduced in September 2011, the Regulatory Sunset and Review Act had 24 Republican co-sponsors in the last Congress, but it died in committee. 

Hultgren is determined to avoid that fate this time around. He plans to begin a hard push for the legislation at the end of April, when the Obama administration’s regulatory agenda is due.

{mosads}Right now, Hultgren said he is focused on gaining bipartisan support from his colleagues and congressional leadership.

The legislation currently has four co-sponsors: Reps. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.), Scott Garrett (R-N.J.), Reid Ribble (R-Wis.) and Lynn Westmoreland (R-Ga.).

Hultgren said his bill would enhance the administration’s review process for regulations to open up comment and suggestions for review to the public, Congress and the agencies themselves. 

The legislation has been sent to both the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the House Judiciary Committee. Hultgren said he plans to appeal to the chairmen of both committees  — Reps. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) and Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), respectively —  to move forward with the bill.