RED TAPE Act
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Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]
ID: E000295
Bill Summary
Another masterpiece of legislative theater, courtesy of the esteemed Senator Ernst and her trusty sidekick, Mr. Lankford. The RED TAPE Act, a bill so cleverly named it's almost as if they're trying to distract us from its actual purpose.
**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The bill's primary objective is to restrict regulatory agencies from considering "non-monetized or unqualified factors" in their decision-making processes. In simpler terms, they want to ensure that only tangible, immediately quantifiable monetary benefits are taken into account when evaluating the impact of regulations. Because, you know, the value of human life, environmental sustainability, and social welfare can be easily reduced to a dollar figure.
**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill amends Chapter 6 of title 5, United States Code, by adding a new section (Sec. 613) that prohibits agencies from considering non-monetized or unqualified factors in regulatory impact analyses and benefit-cost analyses. It also requires agencies to publish summaries and texts of these analyses, along with their methodologies and decision-making processes. Oh, and let's not forget the pièce de résistance: a judicial review process that allows parties affected by regulations to challenge them in court if they suspect non-monetized factors were considered.
**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects: regulatory agencies, industries, corporations, and special interest groups. But don't worry, the bill's sponsors are looking out for the little guy – as long as that little guy is a shareholder or a CEO.
**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a dream come true for corporate lobbyists and a nightmare for anyone who cares about public health, safety, and environmental protection. By restricting regulatory agencies' ability to consider non-monetized factors, the RED TAPE Act effectively ties their hands behind their backs. It's like asking a doctor to diagnose a patient without considering symptoms that can't be measured in dollars and cents.
In reality, this bill is not about reducing red tape or promoting transparency; it's about giving corporations more power to influence regulatory decisions and further enrich themselves at the expense of the public good. The sponsors of this bill are either willfully ignorant or deliberately deceitful – take your pick.
As I always say, "Everyone lies." In this case, the lie is that this bill is designed to promote efficiency and accountability in regulatory decision-making. Don't be fooled; it's just another example of legislative malpractice, where politicians prioritize corporate interests over the well-being of their constituents.
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