Which Democrats Need to be "REIN"ed in to Stop Voting w/ the GOP to Gut Public Interest Regulations?

Today, the House GOP continued with the latest episode in its war against public interest regulations with the so-called Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2015 (REINS).

What does the bill do?

This bill modifies the federal rule-making process by requiring Congress to approve executive agency regulatory proposals that are deemed to be “major rules” (those with an economic impact greater than $100 million) – rather than allowing Congress to disapprove of those proposed rules and regulations, as is currently the case under the Congressional Review Act (CRA). This bill would seek to give Congress the responsibility of approving any rule proposed by the administration before it can go into effect.

By requiring Congressional approval of major rules, this measure would stifle Federal agency rulemaking, while undermining the ability of agencies to provide essential protections to Americans.

The bill passed 243 to 165.

Two Democrats--Henry Cuellar (TX-28) and Collin Peterson (MN-07) joined Republicans in voting for it.

Faux Transparency

David Young (IA-03) offered an amendment to require agencies to publish in the federal register a list of information on which a rule is based, including data, scientific and economic studies, and cost-benefit analyses, and where the public can access it online.

The problem with this amendment is that public health studies often use private medical data, trade secrets, and industry data that cannot legally be made public. Such an amendment, then, is trying to block federal regulators from issuing regulations based on such vital studies.

It passed 250 to 159.

8 Democrats joined the GOP in voting for it.

Brad Ashford (NE-02)
Sanford Bishop (GA-02)
Julia Brownley (CA-26)
Susan Davis (CA-53)
Gene Green (TX-29)
Scott Peters (CA-52)
Collin Peterson (MN-07)
Kyrsten Sinema (AZ-09)

Affordable Care Act

Jason Smith (MO-08) offered an amendment to require congressional approval for all rules proposed under the authority of the Affordable Care Act.

It passed 242 to 167.

2 Democrats—Dan Lipinski (IL-03) and Collin Peterson (MN-07)—joined Republicans in voting for it.

1 Republican—Chris Gibson (NY-19)—joined Democrats in voting against it.

Job Growth

Hank Johnson (GA-04) offered an amendment to add an exception to the bill for rules that the Administrator of the Office of Management and Budget determines would result in net job growth.

It failed 163 to 246.

5 Democrats joined the GOP in voting against it:

Joe Crowley (NY-14)
Donna Edwards (MD-04)
Collin Peterson (MN-07)
Dutch Ruppersberger (MD-02)
Kurt Schrader (OR-05)

Pipeline Safety

Lois Capps (CA-24) offered an amendment to ensure that any rule intended to ensure the safety of natural gas or hazardous materials pipelines or prevent, mitigate, or reduce the impact of spills from such pipelines is not considered a "major rule" under the bill.

It failed 166 to 244.

Two Democrats—Jim Costa (CA-16) and Collin Peterson (MN-07)—joined the GOP in voting against it.

Public Health and Safety

David Cicilline (RI-01) offered two amendments. The first was to exempt rules pertaining to the protection of the public health or safety from the requirements of the Act.

It failed 166 to 242.

Two Democrats—Jim Costa (CA-16) and Collin Peterson (MN-07)—joined the GOP in voting against it.

His second amendment was to provide a "special rule" pertaining to the safety of any products specifically designed to be used or consumed by a child under the age of 2 years (including cribs, car seats, and infant formula).

It failed 167 to 243.

Only 1 Democrat—Collin Peterson (MN-07)—joined the GOP in voting against it.

Nuclear Power

Jerry Nadler (NY-10) offered an amendment to exempt from the bill's congressional approval requirement any rule pertaining to nuclear reactor safety standards in order to prevent nuclear meltdowns like the one in Fukushima.

It failed 167 to 241.

Two Democrats—Jim Costa (CA-16) and Collin Peterson (MN-07)—joined the GOP in voting against it.

Veterans' Services
Mark Pocan (WI-02) offered an amendment to exempt the Department of Veterans Affairs from the requirements of this legislation as they relate to rulemaking for the availability of affordable medication and effective healthcare management for veterans.

It failed 167 to 239.

One Republican—Sam Graves (MO-06)—joined Democrats in voting for it.

One Democrat—Collin Peterson (MN-07)—joined Republicans in voting against it.