The White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), the clearinghouse for federal regulations, has brought in a conservative economist, Randall Lutter, to review regulatory proposals from agencies. The move has upset OIRA critics and unnerved those who interpret Lutter's past writings as a sign of his views on public health and environmental regulation. Those working inside government and those who know him argue that the criticisms of Lutter, a civil servant on temporary assignment to OIRA, are unfair.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10, 2009—On Sept. 10, the Senate confirmed Cass Sunstein as the administrator of the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA). OIRA is a small but powerful office that reviews regulations and approves government forms and surveys that require the public to divulge information. The Senate confirmed Sunstein by a 57-40 vote.

A panel of regulatory policy experts discussed how the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs has been functioning during the Obama administration and how reforms could benefit the public. The discussion came as the White House prepares to issue a new executive order that could alter the way regulations are written.

WASHINGTON, May 13, 2009—On May 12, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee held a hearing on the nomination of Cass Sunstein to be administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). A highly respected academic, Professor Sunstein has authored a number of provocative writings on regulation and the regulatory process. His hearing was the first opportunity to hear how he would implement President Barack Obama's regulatory agenda.