Washington, D.C. – Today, House Republican leaders, including Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas), rolled out a plan for the economy that will address how the Republican party can work together to reduce regulatory burdens at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other federal agencies. The taskforce’s plan will grow our economy by tackling excessive regulations, developing American energy, and promoting financial independence for people who work hard.
The taskforce’s mission statement and principles explain that, “Efforts to reduce, control, and remediate pollution should achieve real environmental benefits and be compatible with job creation and economic growth.” Given this administration’s extreme climate agenda, including EPA’s Clean Power Plan that will cost thousands of jobs in exchange for no significant environmental benefit, the Committee will continue to work to carry out this principle.
House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI): “All of us—not government—should have the biggest role to play in our lives.
“Regulations should serve to help, not hinder the workers and risk-takers at the heart of our economy. And after decades of executive overreach, it is time we restore self-government and the separation of power. This is a better way to uphold our Constitution and preserve the pursuit of happiness.”
Lawmakers rolled out this task force today at a press conference near the Capitol.
Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas): “Under the Obama administration the number and cost of government regulations has skyrocketed, killing jobs and costing the American economy billions of dollars per year. Hardworking families want their leaders in Washington to cut regulatory red tape and put America back on a path to growth and prosperity. I am pleased the Speaker has selected the Science Committee to help lead a taskforce that will find ways to reduce the burden of costly and unnecessary regulations.
“Everyone agrees that we need to protect the environment, but we must do so in a way that is open and honest. Unfortunately, the EPA and other federal agencies bend the law and stretch the science to justify their own objectives. Despite heavy and growing public opposition to these proposals, the Obama administration is actively going around Congress to commit the U.S. to costly new regulations that will do nothing to improve the environment but will negatively impact economic growth. I look forward to working with my Republican colleagues to implementing our solutions to reduce regulatory burdens on hardworking American families.”
The taskforce’s plan—available now at better.gop—is comprised of at least 101 ideas, including:
- Fewer and smarter regulations. Cut down on needless regulations and make the rules we do need more efficient and effective.
- More affordable and reliable energy. Connect our energy boom to consumers, responsibly produce more of our own resources, and end needless delays that hold up jobs and projects.
- More financial independence and no more bailouts. Reward people who work hard and do the right thing, and put an end to Wall Street bailouts.
- More choices for workers and students. Make it easier for people to excel in schools and workplaces, and rip up the red tape that gets in their way.
- Real Internet innovation. Establish clear and consumer-friendly rules that prevent the FCC from making up regulations as it goes along.
- A crack down on lawsuit abuse. Keep trial lawyers in check, and improve protections for consumers and small businesses.
These ideas were developed by the Task Force on Reducing Regulatory Burdens, which includes: Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway (R-TX), Energy & Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI), Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-TX), Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Natural Resources Committee Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT), Oversight & Government Reform Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX), Small Business Committee Chairman Steve Chabot (R-OH), and Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA).
This taskforce rollout is the third plank of A Better Way, Speaker Ryan’s bold agenda to tackle some of our country’s biggest challenges. To learn more, visit better.gop.