Biden Plans to Reign in Executive Branch Regulation With Congressional Review Act

The Congressional Review Act: A Tool to Undo Agency Regulations

The Congressional Review Act (CRA) is a law that allows Congress to review and overturn new regulations issued by federal agencies. The CRA was enacted in 1996 and has been used by both Republican and Democratic Congresses to overturn regulations they oppose.

How the Congressional Review Act Works

The CRA gives Congress 60 legislative days to review a new regulation after it is published in the Federal Register. During this time, Congress can pass a joint resolution of disapproval, which would overturn the regulation. The president can veto a joint resolution of disapproval, but Congress can override the veto with a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate.

Biden's Plan to Use the Congressional Review Act

President Biden has pledged to use the CRA to overturn a number of regulations that he believes are harmful to the economy and the environment. These regulations include:

• The Trump administration's rollback of environmental regulations
• The Trump administration's expansion of the use of private prisons
• The Trump administration's restrictions on access to healthcare

The Impact of Biden's Plan

If Biden is successful in overturning these regulations, it would have a significant impact on a number of policy areas. It would also set a precedent for future presidents to use the CRA to overturn regulations that they oppose.

Conclusion

The Congressional Review Act is a powerful tool that Congress can use to overturn regulations issued by federal agencies. Biden's plan to use the CRA to overturn a number of Trump-era regulations is likely to have a significant impact on a number of policy areas.