New report shows federal red-tape rollbacks are on the right track

Dec 5, 2019 by AFP

Since the 1970s, federal bureaucrats have created some 500,000 regulations — an average of 1,000 new restrictions each year.

For the most part, the 50 years of new red tape has discouraged innovation and entrepreneurship, harmed the economy, and destroyed opportunity.

That’s why Executive Order 13771, issued in January 2017 was a game-changer. And the administration’s recently published Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions shows potential for great progress in 2020.

One-in, two-out

EO 13771, the so-called “one-in, two-out” order required federal agencies to:

Eliminate, on average, two regulatory actions for each new regulatory action implemented by the end of each fiscal year.
Not exceed a regulatory cost allowance or cap, set at zero net costs for fiscal 2017.

So, to add new regulatory costs, agencies must first eliminate existing barriers. This standard requires regulators to make a more thorough evaluation of whether a new restriction is needed.

Government regulations come at a heavy cost and should be used sparingly to protect the public from significant harm. They should be supported by proper scientific and economic analyses.

The results so far tell a good story.

According to official sources, in 2017 agencies saved $8.1 billion in regulatory costs, issuing 67 deregulatory actions and only three regulatory actions. This is, on average, 22 “out” for every one “in.”

The next year, agencies eliminated $23 billion in overall regulatory costs across the government. They issued 176 deregulatory actions and 14 significant regulatory actions — a 12 “out” for every one “in.”

This year, the nation has likely saved billions more and broken additional barriers to opportunity for more Americans.

2019 and beyond

Although no report has yet been issued for 2019, the Unified Regulatory Agenda projects saving $18 billion in regulatory costs from final rulemakings.

That figure does not include one of the most significant deregulatory rules anticipated in fiscal 2019, the Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule, with an estimated savings between $120 billion and $340 billion in regulatory costs.

This news is encouraging for all because as regulatory reform benefits the broader economy, it also helps everyday Americans.

Regulations are often hidden taxes on families, consumers and businesses. Without reform, the accumulation of regulations in recent decades has slowed economic growth, reduced employment opportunities and disproportionately harmed low-income households.

For a brighter future, it’s up to Congress and the administration to continue breaking regulatory barriers.

Tell Congress to cut the red tape, today!