Statement of Administration Policy: H.R. 357 - Ensuring Accountability in Agency Rulemaking Act

STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY

(House Rules)
(Rep. Cline, R-VA and 19 cosponsors)

The Administration strongly opposes H.R. 357, a bill that would require that notice-andcomment rulemaking be initiated by a "senior appointee" and be issued and signed by a Senate-confirmed Presidential appointee. This bill would result in unnecessary delays in the regulatory process when Senate-confirmed positions are temporarily filled by senior officials while nominees await confirmation. It would add unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles that would encumber the rulemaking process without providing any additional benefits, as there are procedures already in place that provide for engagement, oversight, and accountability by Executive Branch agency leadership, such as review of significant rules by the interagency under Executive Order 12866. H.R. 357 would also limit the flexibility of Senate-confirmed officials to delegate signature authority to experienced subordinates who have the requisite authority and experience to oversee regulatory development.

If the President were presented with H.R. 357, he would veto it.