Cohen Chairs Hearing on Federal Rulemaking and the Regulatory Process

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law (CAL), today chaired a hearing on “Federal Rulemaking and the Regulatory Process.”

“The federal rulemaking and regulatory process plays an important role in our government,” said Cohen. “Today’s hearing provided us with a wealth of knowledge and insight into how Congress can best facilitate the rulemaking process.”

The hearing provided an opportunity for CAL Subcommittee members to examine federal rulemaking and the regulatory process in the Obama Administration. The hearing focused on the history of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) and OIRA’s role in connection with federal agency rulemaking; the status of executive guidance and White House review of agency rulemaking; the respective roles of Congress and OIRA in connection with agency compliance with the Congressional Rules Act; and possible legislative issues in connection with federal rulemaking and the regulatory process.

The following is a list of those who testified at the hearing:

• Cass Sunstein, the Administrator of OIRA

• Sally Katzen, Executive Managing Director of the Podesta Group, and former Administrator of OIRA from 1993-1998;

• Curtis W. Copeland, Specialist in American National Government at the Congressional Research Service;

• Richard Williams, Managing Director, Regulatory Studies Program and Government Accountability Project, Mercatus Center; and

• Gary Bass, Founder and Executive Director of OMB Watch.