Lawmakers demand that ObamaCare regs go through Congress

The House approved language on Friday morning that would require Congress to approve all federal regulations relating to the implementation of ObamaCare.

Members voted 227-185 to pass an amendment from Rep. Jason Smith (R-Mo.) that was attached to a bill requiring congressional oversight of major federal rules. That bill is the Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act, or the REINS Act.

Six Democrats voted for the amendment, and just two Republicans voted against it.

Smith said in late Thursday debate on his amendment that his constituents are worried about the harmful effects of the law, and that congressional oversight is the answer.

{mosads}”With over 3,000 pages of federal regulations already issued, and many more to follow, Congress must prevent this widely unsupported law from causing further damage to our health care system,” he said.

The REINS Act requires any federal rule with an economic impact above $100 million to be approved by Congress. Smith’s language would also require any federal rule related to ObamaCare to win congressional approval before it takes effect.

Democrats blasted Smith’s proposal on Thursday night as an attempt to give the House a veto over any health rule issued under the law.

“To have any rules and regulations under [the law] go into effect, the House and the Senate would both have to approve it,” Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) said. “But one House, by not passing it, could kill it — one House veto. This Republican Congress could veto every single regulation under the Affordable Care Act.”

Smith’s proposal was one of several the House voted on Friday morning that took place just before a final vote on the REINS Act. Others were from:

— Tom Latham (R-Iowa), clarifying that the report required to be submitted to Congress by federal agencies must include a list of any other related regulatory actions taken by or that will be taken by any other federal agency with authority to implement the same statutory provision or regulatory objective. Passed 263-152.

— Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), exempting from the bill’s congressional approval requirement any rule pertaining to nuclear reactor safety standards in order to prevent nuclear meltdowns like the one in Fukushima. Failed 186-229.

— Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), exempting from the provisions of the bill any rule that the Office of Management and Budget determines would result in net job creation. Failed 182-235.
   
— Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), exempting from the bill’s congressional approval requirement any rule promulgated by the Department of Homeland Security. Failed 185-232.

— Gwen Moore (D-Wis.), exempting rules pertaining to veterans from the additional requirements of this Act. Failed 190-226.

— This story was updated at 10:05 a.m.