WASHINGTON — House Republicans are scrutinizing a wide array of existing and proposed Obama administration regulations in areas as diverse as the environment and Wall Street, and they are taking guidance from industry groups that say the rules threaten jobs.
Responding to solicitations from Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., businesses have asked Congress to roll back or pre-empt more than 150 rules governing their industries, according to documents obtained by The Washington Post.
In many cases, businesses are seizing the opportunity to reopen regulatory debates that they previously lost. In his new role as chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Issa will begin a series of hearings Thursday, an effort aimed at fulfilling the new GOP House majority’s goal of making federal regulations friendlier to business.
The Washington Post reviewed more than 200 letters and reports that businesses sent to Issa targeting regulations across the federal government. The rules under scrutiny include familiar issues such as greenhouse-gas emissions, health care reform and the landmark Wall Street overhaul. But the committee also will examine more obscure regulations.
For instance, makers of some cleaning products that remove mold and mildew have asked the committee to reconsider rules that require their products to be registered as pesticides under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act.
Issa’s committee can shine a spotlight on the regulations, but it does not have the power to overturn or change them.
The regulatory scrutiny poses a test for President Barack Obama as he prepares for a 2012 re-election campaign in which jobs and the economy will be major issues. The administration and congressional Democrats could choose to draw a contrast with Republicans by defending regulations intended to protect public health and safety, environmental quality, and consumer and investor interests. Or they could seek common ground with the business community.
Obama on Monday defended federal regulations in a speech to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, even as he promised to eliminate those that are too burdensome.
Issa said Monday: “The president has recognized the value in examining the regulatory barriers impeding private-sector job creation.”
Issa also has launched , a website for businesses to detail their issues with regulations.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
