Protecting the Public

The Attack on Regulatory Safeguards

Certain industry lobbyists and their allies in Congress are waging war against regulations, attempting to undermine the protections that keep our environment clean, our products and workplaces safe, and our economy prosperous. The legislative centerpiece of their campaign is H.R. 10, the REINS Act, which would require congressional approval for new rules. Find out more about what’s going on in Congress.

Articles & Analysis

Agencies Release Updates on Regulatory Look-backs

On Jan. 30, the White House announced that 25 federal agencies had released reports on their progress in carrying out retrospective rule reviews, part of the Obama administration's regulatory reform effort.

New Poll Shows Small Business Owners Value Regulation, Name Weak Demand as the Primary Obstacle to Job Creation

(Katie Greenhaw 02/02/12; 1 comment)

Standing Up for Credit Card Customers' Right to Know

(Gavin Baker 01/31/12; 2 comments)

President Obama: You Had Me Until Fracking

(Sofia Plagakis 01/25/12; 1 comment)

Keystone Pipeline Derailed – For Now

On Jan. 18, President Obama rejected the permit for the controversial Keystone XL pipeline project, which was sought by Canadian firm TransCanada and Big Oil interests. The Obama administration determined that more study was needed to see whether the project was in the long-term national interest of the United States. Communities along the proposed pipeline route that are concerned about public health and safety issues welcomed the administration's decision, even as Republican lawmakers vowed to continue fighting for the project.

Third-Party Audits Aren't a Panacea for Increasing Safety

The third-party audit system, in which private companies take over responsibility for inspecting worksites and production facilities, has been shown to expose Americans to significant health and safety risks while eating, working, and breathing.

Peering Behind the Curtain: Consumer Protection Agency Proposes Public Credit Card Complaint Database

In December, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) proposed a public online database of consumer complaints about credit cards. The database would empower consumer choices on credit cards and position the agency as a leader in government transparency. However, the financial industry opposes disclosure and may use its considerable political influence in an effort to block public access to the information.

Jobs Council Misses the Mark, Offers Unbalanced Proposals that Could Undermine Public Protections

President Obama's Council on Jobs and Competitiveness (Jobs Council) recently released its 2011 year-end report, Road Map to Renewal. The report comes one year after Obama tasked the Jobs Council with developing "a set of recommendations to create jobs in the short run and improve our nation's competitiveness over the long term." The report includes recommendations on tax reform, manufacturing, energy, innovation, education, and regulation and has been widely criticized for offering a one-sided "corporate" agenda. While the Jobs Council wrote that "getting the regulatory balance right is important," its proposals on regulatory "reform" narrowly favor corporate interests. The proposals, which mischaracterize the important role of regulation in protecting the American people, will not generate jobs or increase American competitiveness.