White House admits it’s late again in releasing regulatory report

The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is admitting it’s late again in releasing its report on the cost and benefits of federal regulations.

The Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI), a libertarian think tank, called the agency out on Monday for being later than usual in releasing its draft “Report to Congress on the benefits and Costs of Federal Regulations.” CEI also questioned whether the Obama administration was waiting to release it until after the election.

In an email to The Hill, an OMB official admitted the agency is behind schedule.

“The report is later than planned, but [the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs] is working diligently to issue the Draft 2016 report for public comment,” the official said.

In 2015, the draft was released on Oct. 16. CEI said that since 2002, the report has normally been released in March.

The report is expected to look back at the regulations issued over the last 10 years, from Oct. 1, 2005, to Sept. 30, 2015. 

The last report only covered rules up to Sept. 30, 2014.