Biden Tallys $1.8 Trillion In Regulatory Costs, Trump Anticipated To Cut Back
A stark contrast emerges between the two administrations as federal regulations under Biden reach unprecedented financial heights.
According to the Washington Examiner, President Biden's administration has imposed regulations costing $1.8 trillion, vastly exceeding former President Trump's regulatory burden of $1.2 billion.
American Action Forum's analysis reveals a striking disparity in regulatory approaches between the current and previous administrations. These findings come as Washington anticipates Trump's promised rollback of Obama and Biden-era regulations.
Unprecedented Growth In Federal Register Pages
Federal regulatory documentation has expanded dramatically under Biden's leadership. Current page counts in the Federal Register have reached 89,476 pages, positioning this administration for a potential record-breaking year. Obama's previous record of 95,894 pages appears within reach as Biden's team continues implementing new rules.
Dan Goldbeck, American Action Forum's director of regulatory policy, has highlighted the exceptional nature of these figures.
His assessment suggests that more regulations are still in the pipeline despite the approaching transition of power. The magnitude of regulatory expansion carries significant implications for businesses and citizens alike.
Regulatory experts have noted that even former President Obama's administration maintained a lower regulatory burden, keeping costs under $500 billion. This comparison underscores the unprecedented scale of current regulatory expansion.
Congressional Review Act Takes Center Stage
Federal Election Commission Chairman Sean Cooksey has emerged as a vocal advocate for utilizing the Congressional Review Act. This legislative tool provides Congress with the power to permanently overturn recently implemented regulations. Cooksey's public statements emphasize the act's potential impact on Biden's late-term regulatory decisions.
Cooksey shared his perspective on these matters. His statement emphasizes the potential consequences for Biden administration officials attempting to implement last-minute regulations:
Every Biden-appointed agency head should also be on notice. Any final rules that are rushed through in a lame-duck period can be disapproved under the Congressional Review Act. It's not just a repeal. It bans the agency from ever issuing a substantially similar rule again.
Implementation of the Congressional Review Act could significantly affect the durability of Biden's regulatory legacy. The act's permanent nature makes it particularly powerful in shaping long-term regulatory policy.
Transition Period Regulatory Concerns Mount
Professional observers anticipate increased regulatory activity during the administration's final months. Various agencies appear poised to implement additional rules before the transfer of power occurs. This acceleration of regulatory implementation has drawn attention from both supporters and critics.
Political analysts are closely monitoring the situation as the transition period approaches. The potential for last-minute regulatory actions has heightened scrutiny of federal agencies and their rulemaking processes. Strategic considerations regarding timing and implementation have become increasingly important.
Regulatory experts predict significant challenges in managing this regulatory inheritance. The incoming administration faces complex decisions about which rules to target for reversal and how to prioritize regulatory reform efforts.
Analyzing Administrative Legacy And Impact
Biden's regulatory expansion represents a significant departure from previous administrations' approaches.
The scale of regulatory costs, combined with the volume of Federal Register documentation, establishes new benchmarks in federal rulemaking. These developments occur against a backdrop of changing political dynamics and economic considerations.
Congress holds substantial power in shaping the future of these regulations. The availability of the Congressional Review Act provides legislators with concrete tools for addressing recent regulatory actions. The permanent nature of CRA-based reversals adds particular significance to any congressional intervention in this area.
Regulatory Landscape Transformation Ahead
President Biden's administration has established unprecedented regulatory costs totaling $1.8 trillion, dramatically exceeding previous administrations' figures and setting new records in Federal Register documentation. This extensive regulatory framework faces potential reversal as President-elect Trump prepares to assume office with promises of regulatory reduction.
The incoming administration and Congress will confront crucial decisions regarding these regulations, with tools like the Congressional Review Act available for permanent regulatory reversal. The situation represents a pivotal moment in federal regulatory policy, with significant implications for American businesses and citizens as new leadership prepares to reshape the regulatory landscape.