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Stefanik joins House in passing bill to rein in presidential power

U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan, left, a Republican from Wisconsin, participates in the swearing-in ceremony for Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Willsboro, on in January 2017 in Washington. (Photo provided)

WASHINGTON — North Country Congresswoman Elise Stefanik joined the U.S. House of Representatives in passing the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2017 Thursday.

The House passed the act by a vote of 237-187, which will let Congress vote on executive branch rules and regulations with an annual economic impact of $100 million or more, a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, industries, government agencies or geographic regions, or significant adverse economic effects, as estimated by the Office of Management and Budget.

The bill was introduced by Rep. Doug Collins, R-Georgia, to increase accountability and transparency in the regulatory process and states that “the executive branch shall have no force or effect unless a joint resolution of approval is enacted into law.”

Stefanik, R-Willsboro, voted in support of the act, saying she has heard about North Country businesses negatively affected by regulations from Washington.

“The REINS Act pushes back against overregulation by federal bureaucrats and gives power back to the people by requiring that Congress vote on any major rule or regulation coming from the executive branch,” she said in a Facebook post. “This is a commonsense step for transparent and accountable government that will help grow our economy and create jobs for North Country families.”

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