[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 36 (Monday, February 27, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E449-E450]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                   REGULATORY TRANSITION ACT OF 1995

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                               speech of

                         HON. RONALD D. COLEMAN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 23, 1995

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 450), to 
     ensure economy and efficiency of Federal Government 
     operations by establishing a moratorium on regulatory 
     rulemaking actions, and for other purposes:

  Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my opposition to 
the bill H.R. 450. While I support the intentions of the bill, I feel 
that a regulatory freeze is not only a clumsy but also a dangerous way 
to achieve the important goal of regulatory reform.
  The most frustrating aspect of this legislative session is that day 
after day, we must face the growing reality of the increasing 
irrelevance of the House of Representatives. While this body has become 
the center of American jingoism and bumper sticker solutions, it is 
quickly moving off the radar screen of policy relevance. A brief glance 
at the bill H.R. 450 tells us why this is happening.
  The stated goal of H.R. 450 is a good one to ensure the economy and 
efficiency of the Federal Government. This has been one of the most 
vehemently pursued goals of the Clinton Administration. With a firm 
commitment to reinventing government, the Administration has doggedly 
pursued the goal of regulatory reform. They have put an end to the 
explosion of senseless regulations that occurred under the Republican 
administrations of Ronald Reagan and George Bush. In short, the stated 
goal of this bill is already being pursued systematically, 
intelligently, and relentlessly under President Clinton. The simple 
fact is that the goals of H.R. 450 are being achieved already. The only 
reason that the majority party feels compelled to take up the 
regulatory struggle is because they know it is a good chance to take 
the wind out of the sails of the Clinton administration. It is a bill 
entirely motivated by politics.
  But the problems of this bill don't end with its redundancy. H.R. 450 
is also bad policy. In order to achieve the stated goal of government 
economy and efficiency, the bill proposes a moratorium on regulations 
that is retroactive through November of last year. Freezing regulations 
is not an intelligent way to streamline government. This is an 
excellent example of the extremism of the Republican party in this 
House.
  Freezing all Federal regulations will potentially expose the people 
of America to countless dangers. The EPA has indicated that standards 
to reduce the presence of lead and dioxins in the air will be put on 
hold, as will efforts to remove dangerous disinfectant byproducts and 
microbiological contaminants in water. Further, the development of safe 
alternatives to ozone depleting chemicals will be put on hold. The 
Department of Labor will not be able to finish outlining the 
regulations that will guide the implementation of the Family Medical 
Leave Act. The Department of Agriculture will not be able to prevent 
the importation of animals and animal products infected with bovine 
spongiform encephalopathy, or 
[[Page E450]]  work to prevent the spread of lethal avian influenza in 
chickens. The Department of Transportation notes that H.R. 450 would 
stop regulations designed to make commuter planes meet the safety 
requirements of larger carriers, and to prevent natural gas pipeline 
explosions. These are just a few examples of the manner in which the 
moratorium could pose a direct threat to the health, safety and 
economic well-being of the American people.
  Republicans are correct when they assert that Americans and American 
businesses are fed up with senseless regulations. But they are horribly 
off the mark when they propose that freezing all regulations is the 
solution to this problem. The exemptions that they have offered for 
regulations protecting health, safety, and property are vague at best, 
and give the latter inexplicable ascendancy over the first two. There 
is no guarantee that important regulations will be allowed enactment 
under H.R. 450. I cannot support such carelessly crafted legislation, 
and I am surprised at those who can.
  The practice of performing delicate policy operations with a meat axe 
has characterized the actions of the House from the beginning of the 
session, and it is eroding the credibility of this body. Even as we 
rush to pass bills that are poorly crafted, the Senate is carefully 
weighing the implications of each piece of legislation. This is not a 
question of partisan politics. The Republicans have a majority in the 
Senate as well. And yet there, they recognize the great importance of 
designing legislation that not only sounds good, but that works as 
well. We should do the same. H.R. 450 is another example of an 
important issue that has been drastically oversimplified. Freezing 
reforms is not the answer to the regulatory explosion, and it is a 
proposal that places American lives at risk. Therefore, I will not 
support this legislation.
  I do not believe that the 435 Members of this body ought to be 
consigned to irrelevance in the policy sphere. But unless the 
Republican Party stops focusing on the laminated card in the Speaker's 
breast pocket, and starts concentrating on the difficult, deliberative, 
and complex task of framing policy and instituting reform, we are 
doomed to 50 more days of meaningless endeavors. I fear that the words 
of Macbeth will be a fitting epitaph for the Republican Contract, which 
thus far has frequently proven to be a document ``full of sound and 
fury, signifying nothing.''


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