Regulatory Accountability Act would give small businesses a voice in rulemaking process
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Andrew Wimer, 202-314-2073 or 703-298-5938 (cell)
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Washington, D.C. (April 26, 2017) – The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) praised Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) for introducing the bipartisan Regulatory Accountability Act of 2017. The bill would increase participation in the rulemaking process and generally require agencies to choose the most cost effective option for new regulations.
“Small business owners are grateful that Sen. Portman is working to give them a voice in the regulatory process,” said NFIB President and CEO Juanita Duggan. “They consistently tell us that one of their top problems is regulations and red tape. New and confusing rules are especially hard on small businesses because they lack the resources of bigger companies who have lawyers and compliance specialists.”
Sen. Portman’s legislation would build on established principles of fair regulatory process and review embodied in executive orders since the Clinton administration. These principles make the regulatory process more transparent, agencies more accountable, and regulations more cost-effective. The bill is cosponsored by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV).
“For too long, small business owners have felt powerless to affect how rules in Washington are made,” said Duggan. “The Regulatory Accountability Act would make sure that the bureaucracy has to listen to small business and choose cost effective options when they do regulate. Republicans and Democrats agree that it’s time for reform.”
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