🧵 1. The Constitution’s first provision says that the power to make federal law rests solely with Congress, whose members are all elected.
But most federal laws today are made not by Congress, but by unelected bureaucrats.
That’s wrong.
Fortunately, there’s a way to fix it.
But most federal laws today are made not by Congress, but by unelected bureaucrats.
That’s wrong.
Fortunately, there’s a way to fix it.
2. Enter the **REINS Act**. This legislation aims to restore the balance of power by requiring Congress to approve and enact any new “major rule” regulation—that is, a regulation with significant economic impact ($100M+)— before it can become legally binding.
3. **Why is this important?** Because unelected bureaucrats, despite their expertise, are not accountable to the public, while elected officials are.
The REINS Act would ensure that major policy decisions affecting millions would be debated and voted on by those we elect.
The REINS Act would ensure that major policy decisions affecting millions would be debated and voted on by those we elect.
4. **Accountability**: With the REINS Act, if a regulation became burdensome or detrimental, the public could directly hold lawmakers accountable.
Constitutional transparency fosters a system where policy changes reflect the will of the people, not just bureaucratic decisions.
Constitutional transparency fosters a system where policy changes reflect the will of the people, not just bureaucratic decisions.
5. **Economic Impact**: Overregulation can stifle innovation, increase costs for businesses, and ultimately, consumers.
By giving Congress the final say, the REINS Act would lead to more balanced regulations that consider economic impact alongside other objectives.
By giving Congress the final say, the REINS Act would lead to more balanced regulations that consider economic impact alongside other objectives.
6. **Checks and Balances**: The Act would reinforce the constitutional principle of checks and balances. It would prevent the executive branch from overstepping its bounds, ensuring that lawmaking would remain a legislative function, not an administrative one.
7. **Public Engagement**: Requiring Congress to vote on regulations, the REINS Act would require more than just a procedural change. It’s an invitation for public discourse.
People can engage, lobby, and influence these decisions, making lawmaking constitutional again.
People can engage, lobby, and influence these decisions, making lawmaking constitutional again.
8. **Criticism of the REINS Act**: Some argue it could slow down the regulatory process.
Sure, it’d slow it down a bit, just as the Constitution slows down lawmaking—in a way that makes the process accountable.
“Major rule” regulations are laws; they just go by another name.
Sure, it’d slow it down a bit, just as the Constitution slows down lawmaking—in a way that makes the process accountable.
“Major rule” regulations are laws; they just go by another name.
9. **Historical Context**: Over time, Congress has delegated much of its lawmaking power to federal agencies. The REINS Act would put lawmaking back into the hands of the only people authorized to make federal law under the Constitution.
10. **The Call to Action**: If you believe in a government in which American citizens, through their elected officials, should influence the law, you should support the REINS Act.
It's about bringing power back to the people—where the Constitution put it in the first place.
It's about bringing power back to the people—where the Constitution put it in the first place.
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