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| Foxx Report |
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Under the Congressional Review Act (CRA), Congress may pass a resolution of disapproval to nullify, with the full force of the law, a federal agency’s rule or prevent the agency from issuing a substantially similar rule without congressional authorization. This week President Trump signed several resolutions of disapproval into law to halt the heavy-handed regulatory approach of the Obama administration.
These CRAs included my resolution to block the flawed and unnecessary “blacklisting” rule, which was always completely unnecessary. There has long been a system in place to hold federal contractors accountable, and the best way to ensure fair pay and safe workplaces is to enforce that system effectively. This duplicative rule would have served only to empower union bosses, while undermining our nation’s military readiness and the ability of small businesses to compete for federal contracts. I commend President Trump for rejecting this misguided approach. Now that the blacklisting rule is finally behind us, it is time to come together to ensure the rights of all American workers are protected.
Overturning FCC Rule on Privacy
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has been the “cop on the beat” for decades with a long-standing and successful privacy framework. Under the heavy-handed regulatory approach of the Obama administration, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) took away some of the privacy protections that the FTC has ensured since the birth of the Internet.
Rather than work to protect Americans’ privacy through the time-tested FTC process, the FCC’s privacy rules extend only as far as your Internet provider – a small fraction of the Internet. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) do not have unique or complete access to consumers’ online activity, and there is no justification for subjecting them to a different privacy regime. Simply put, these ineffective rules pick winners and losers, unfairly favoring one type of company over another.
This week the House was forced to act and block this flawed regulation because it arbitrarily treats ISPs differently from the rest of the Internet, attempting to create a false sense of privacy that simply doesn’t exist. This resolution puts all segments of the Internet on equal footing and provides American consumers with a consistent set of privacy rules. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has pledged that his agency will work with the FTC to ensure that consumers’ online privacy is protected though a consistent and comprehensive framework.
Enhancing Opportunity for Vulnerable Children
On Thursday Republican and Democratic members of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce introduced H.R. 1809, the Juvenile Justice Reform Act of 2017. This bipartisan legislation reauthorizes and reforms the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act to help state and local leaders better serve at-risk youth and juvenile offenders.
Everyone deserves the opportunity to pursue a better path forward, regardless of their personal circumstances or the mistakes they’ve made in life. I commend Representative Jason Lewis and Ranking Member Bobby Scott for leading the effort to expand that opportunity for juvenile offenders and at-risk youth. This bipartisan bill will make a positive difference for families and communities across the country. It will empower state and local leaders as they work to provide the support and fresh start vulnerable youth need to succeed in life.
Ensuring Sound Science at the EPA
This week the House passed two pieces of legislation to ensure decisions at the Environmental Protection Agency are made using sound science and an open review process. H.R. 1430, the Honest and Open New EPA Science Treatment Act of 2017, requires that EPA regulations be based upon science that is publically available. H.R. 1431, the EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2017, restores the independence of the EPA’s Science Advisory Board and promotes fairness, transparency and public participation to ensure unbiased scientific advice.
What’s Coming Up?
Next week the House will take up legislation to promote a thriving economy. The House will consider bills that support employee ownership and investment in budding innovations.
Sincerely,
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