Restoring Checks and Balances Act
Rep. Stutzman Introduces Restoring Checks and Balances Act to Sunset Federal Rules After 5 Years
This bill was recently introduced and is currently being reviewed by two House committees. It is in the early stages of the legislative process and is considered active. There are no upcoming votes scheduled at this time.
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- This bill would make most new federal rules expire automatically after five years unless Congress specifically votes to keep them. This shifts power from federal agencies back to elected lawmakers, requiring active approval rather than allowing rules to remain indefinitely.
From policy text
“Any covered rule issued by an agency after the date of the enactment of this Act shall sunset on the date that is five years after the effective date of such covered rule, unless specifically reauthorized by an Act of Congress.”
View in full text - Once a rule expires, the agency that created it cannot bring it back, enforce it, revise it, or take any related action. This means that if Congress does not act, the rule disappears permanently.
From policy text
“An agency may not reissue, enforce, revise, or take other regulatory action related to a covered rule that has sunset under subsection (a).”
View in full text - Agency leaders who want to keep a rule must submit a report to Congress at least one year before it expires, explaining why the rule is still needed. They are encouraged to bundle multiple requests together in a single submission.
From policy text
“such head shall, not later than the December 1 that is one year before the date on which the covered rule is scheduled to sunset, submit to Congress and any appropriate committee of Congress a report containing such request”
View in full text - Several categories of rules are exempt from the five-year sunset. These include rules about military or foreign affairs, criminal law enforcement, internal agency management, and emergency rules needed to address immediate threats to health or safety.
From policy text
“does not include a rule-- (A) issued in accordance with the formal rulemaking provisions of sections 556 and 557 of title 5, United States Code; (B) issued with respect to a military or foreign affairs function of the United States; (C) that the Administrator certifies in writing is necessary for the enforcement of Federal criminal laws; (D) that is limited to agency organization, management, or personnel matters; or (E) that is necessary due to an imminent threat to human health or safety or any other emergency.”
View in full text - Critics worry that given Congress's limited bandwidth, many important protections for things like the environment, workplace safety, and consumer rights could quietly expire simply because lawmakers run out of time to vote on reauthorization.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Milestones
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Restoring Checks and Balances Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(2)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.