[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 5 (Friday, January 8, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E24]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JOHN C. CARNEY, JR.

                              of delaware

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 8, 2016

  Mr. CARNEY. Mr. Speaker, I wish to clarify my position on Roll Call 
Vote Number 12, cast on January 7, 2016. The vote was on passage of 
H.R. 712, the Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 
2015, which would require an agency seeking to enter a covered consent 
decree or settlement agreement to publish such decree or agreement in 
the Federal Register and online not later than 60 days before it is 
filed with the court. On passage of H.R. 712, I voted ``Aye.'' It was 
my intention to vote ``No.''
  While I firmly believe in judicial transparency, I could not support 
this legislation in its entirety. H.R. 712 included provisions that 
place unreasonable burdens on our regulatory process and give undue 
influence to certain groups. This legislation addressed pressing issues 
with the efficacy and efficiency of our regulatory process; however, it 
did not strike the right balance. That is why I ultimately decided to 
oppose this legislation, and I would like to reflect this intent.

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