Republicans might have a controlling interest in the House of the 112th Congress, but that’s about it, but they lack the numbers to do what they want even if they didn’t have Democrat-majority Senate and . . . . well . . . . a Democrat in the White House. What they will try to do is legislate against Executive Branch regulations.
What they found is an obscure authority provided by a 1996 law called the Congressional Review Act. It provides Congress with an expedited process by which to evaluate executive branch regulations, and then give the President a chance to agree or disagree.
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Earlier this year, Republican leaders endorsed REINS (Regulations from the Executive In Need of Scrutiny) which, if passed and signed, would give them much broader authority over the rule-making and regulatory process.
But it won’t survive a filibuster, let alone a veto. The CRA will be the GOP’s most effective tool.
My prediction: lots of bellyaching, not much action.