Having gained control of Congress and the White House, the GOP has been working on ways to overhaul the regulatory system in this country. Not only do they want to rescind as many Obama-era regulations as possible (via the Congressional Review Act), they also want to pass regulatory reform that will survive well beyond the tenure of the current … [Read more...]
Search Results for: congressional review act
The Tug of War Over Reproductive Rights
U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt recently blocked an Indiana state law requiring women to get an ultrasound 18 hours before getting an abortion. The judge found the measure to be overly burdensome for low income women. Judge Pratt’s ruling, which was issued on Friday March 31st, came after a lawsuit was filed by the ACLU on behalf of Planned … [Read more...]
Pence’s Tie-Breaking Vote Leads to Nullification of Obama-era Rule
Mike Pence cast a tie breaking vote on March 29th, rescinding an Obama-era regulation pertaining to the funding of healthcare providers that offer abortion services. With a vote of 51 to 50 in favor of nullifying the rule, the bill will now go to President Trump who is expected to sign it. A tie breaking vote was necessary after Senators Lisa … [Read more...]
Resolution Repealing Drilling Regulation Gets Stuck in the Senate
A resolution aiming to repeal an Obama-era rule that limits the environmental impact of the oil and gas industry has hit a road bump in the Senate, as several Republicans and moderate Democrats have not fully committed to a yes vote. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) regulation requires drillers to implement methane mitigation technologies to … [Read more...]
Senate Rescinds Rule Protecting Predators in Alaskan Wildlife Refuges
The U.S. Senate passed a “resolution of disapproval” last week, overturning an Obama-era rule that protected wolves, grizzly bears and coyotes from extreme hunting practices including aerial spotting, baiting, and killing animals who are with their cubs in their dens. The regulation, which was rescinded with a party-line vote of 52-47, specifically … [Read more...]
Internet Privacy Rules Rescinded
The Senate voted last week in favor of a resolution repealing a set of Obama-era rules that promised to protect internet privacy for consumers. This comes not long after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) stayed the enactment of the rules in February. The bill passed mostly along party lines with a vote of 50 to 48. President Trump signed … [Read more...]
Republicans Vote to Exploit Workers, Roll Back Obama-Regulation
On Monday March 6th, the Senate passed yet another “resolution of disapproval,” effectively rescinding an Obama regulation meant to track companies’ violations of labor laws – including minimum wage, overtime, and health and safety statutes – to prevent the federal government from contracting such corporations. This regulation, known as the Fair … [Read more...]
Minnesota Witnesses its First Lawsuit Against a Gun Shop Owner
According to a Report in the Star Tribune, Officers of the law, Beau Schoenhard and Joshua Eernisse, are suing Full Metal Gun Shop and its owner, Troy Buchholz, who according to the suit, knowingly sold a gun to a straw buyer who then sold it to Ray Kmetz. Kmetz, who had been committed to a mental facility, attacked the New Hope City Council with … [Read more...]
White House Memo Suggests Major Cuts to Top Climate Science Agency
The Washington Post obtained a four-page memo outlining a plan to decrease the budget of a top climate science agency by 17 percent. The substantial cutting of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) budget would include trimmings of research funding and data-collecting programs. It would also seek to reduce … [Read more...]
FCC Blocks Internet Privacy Regulations
In October of 2016, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) passed legislation tracking the ways in which Internet Server Providers (ISPs) handle sensitive online data. If the rule were active, it would require large companies like AT&T and Comcast to offer customers the option to “opt-in” before selling personal information to advertisers. … [Read more...]
