Congressional leaders are meticulously planning their strategy to dismantle key Biden administration regulations as Donald Trump's return to the White House draws near.
According to the Washington Examiner, Republican lawmakers are now focusing on identifying specific Biden-era regulations they can swiftly repeal using the Congressional Review Act once Trump assumes office later this month.
The opportunity for regulatory reform has emerged after years of unsuccessful attempts by Republicans to reverse Biden's rulemaking initiatives. With unified control of Washington now within their grasp, GOP leaders are poised to implement substantial changes to the regulatory landscape shaped during Biden's presidency.
The scope of potential regulatory reforms is vast, with approximately 1,300 regulations available for repeal through the Congressional Review Act. Of these, 108 are classified as significant regulations. However, the Senate faces time constraints as it simultaneously works to confirm Trump's Cabinet appointments.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune is actively coordinating with House colleagues to determine which Biden rules should be targeted. The previous Republican-led Congress under Trump successfully repealed 16 Obama-era regulations during his first two years, setting a precedent for the current initiative.
The timeline for regulatory rollbacks is limited to rules implemented since August, placing many earlier Biden administration policies beyond the reach of congressional action. Nevertheless, this window encompasses numerous eleventh-hour regulations, including Biden's latest student loan cancellation program and environmental regulations.
The Biden administration's regulatory activities have continued unabated despite Republican calls for a halt to federal rulemaking as Inauguration Day approaches. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, in particular, has maintained an active regulatory agenda.
CFPB Director Rohit Chopra stated at a December hearing that "the agency is under no obligation to be a dead fish as Biden leaves office." This stance has drawn criticism from Senator Tim Scott, the incoming Senate Banking Committee chairman, who expressed concerns about the agency's accountability to Congress.
Conservative think tanks and business organizations are actively involved in the regulatory reform effort. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has begun circulating lists of major regulations targeted for repeal, while the Economic Policy Innovation Center explores ways to expand Congress's authority through the reconciliation process.
The House has already passed the Midnight Rules Relief Act, which would enable lawmakers to repeal multiple regulations from Biden's final year in a single action. This legislative tool could streamline the repeal process significantly.
Trump has outlined his own priorities for regulatory reform, including an immediate reversal of Biden's recent offshore drilling ban. He has also expressed opposition to new energy conservation measures affecting household appliances like water heaters, ceiling fans, and dehumidifiers.
The Department of Government Efficiency, under the leadership of Tesla CEO Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, has been tasked with developing comprehensive recommendations for regulatory elimination.
The incoming Trump administration and Republican-controlled Congress are positioning themselves for an unprecedented regulatory overhaul targeting Biden-era policies. The effort will focus on regulations implemented since August, with particular emphasis on environmental rules, financial regulations, and energy conservation standards. While the Senate faces time constraints due to Cabinet confirmation requirements, Republicans are developing multiple strategies to maximize their regulatory reform impact, including legislative tools and executive actions to reshape the federal regulatory landscape.
