Welcome to OVERNIGHT REGULATION, your daily rundown from Capitol Hill and beyond. It’s Monday evening here in Washington and a happy Rosh Hashanah to everyone celebrating.
Here’s the latest.
THE BIG STORY
A coalition of business groups from all 52 states joined the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Monday in voicing their support for the Regulatory Accountability Act of 2015 in a letter to members of the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee.
{mosads}The bill would force federal agencies to do a cost-benefit analysis, and adopt the least costly or most cost-effective approach when a proposed rule carries an economic impact over $1 billion annually.
Despite a veto threat from President Obama on the House bill, which passed earlier this year, business groups are calling on lawmakers to move companion legislation in the upper chamber to curb what they see as costly and excessive regulations.
In a statement, William Kovacs, senior vice president of Environment, Technology & Regulatory Affairs for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said the legislation is crucial in modernizing a regulatory process that hasn’t changed in 70 years.
“Businesses today must operate within a web of increasingly complex and expensive regulations.,” he said. “But we are optimistic, knowing that there is bipartisan support in the Senate to make the regulatory process more transparent, agencies more accountable, and regulations fairer and more cost-effective.”
When Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) introduced the bill in August with Sens. Angus King (I-Maine) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), he said businesses were being held back by the burden and uncertainty of government red tape.
“Through stronger cost-benefit analysis and greater transparency, this commonsense legislation will build a less costly, more stable regulatory environment for job creation and economic growth,” he said.
ON TAP FOR TUESDAY
The Heritage Foundation is holding an event to preview the Supreme Court’s upcoming term. Guest speakers will include Lisa Blatt, a partner at Arnold & Porter LLP, and Paul Clement, a partner at Bancroft PLLC and a former U.S. Solicitor General.
More than 150 professors from business schools across the country will call on Congress to create a national paid family and medical leave program in a call organized by the National Partnership for Women & Families.
TOMORROW’S REGS TODAY
The Obama administration will publish 139 new regulations, proposed rules, notices and other administrative actions in Thursday’s edition of the Federal Register.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is finalizing a rule that will allow the agency to destroy any drug valued at $2,500 or less that’s been refused admission into the U.S. under the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. http://bit.ly/1iqLq2t
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is giving the public more time to comment on a proposal to revise the requirements that long-term care facilities must meet to participate in Medicare and Medicaid programs. Comments are due by Oct. 14.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is asking the public to comment on its plan to collect data from healthcare practitioners on how staff are trained on the prevention, identification and treatment of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. The public has 60 days to comment. http://bit.ly/1KOYFGy
NEWS RIGHT NOW
Unions: Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) is proposing the elimination of federal employee unions as part of a broader package of policies aimed at curbing the influence of unions across the country, Ben Kamisar reports. http://bit.ly/1FJ65DM
Financial aid: The Obama administration on Monday announced a tweak to the federal financial aid program that one official said would help “literally hundreds of thousands” of students each year, Sarah Ferris reports. http://bit.ly/1Or7x4M
Handguns: Former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) said Monday that he favors increasing the minimum age for handgun ownership and possession to 21 as part of a comprehensive plan to curb gun violence in the U.S., Mark Hensch reports. http://bit.ly/1QAWOnp
Drones: Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is moving to require drone manufacturers to include geo-fencing technology that would prohibit devices from flying over restricted areas, Keith Laing reports. http://bit.ly/1NzJ3Hn
Smart cars: The secretary of Transportation, Anthony Foxx, says New York City will be the main testing ground for a smart device installed in vehicles to warn motorists of impending dangers and congestion, The AP reports. http://bit.ly/1NsfVQM
More drone news: A drone was shot down Friday over a fundraiser for Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), The Washington Post reports. http://wapo.st/1Nsg5Yq
Federal jobs: The U.S. Army is hiring to fill vacancies at its military base in Livorno, Italy, The Washington Post reports. http://wapo.st/1NzKcP5
BY THE NUMBERS
46080: The number you need to send a text message to with the END to opt out of receiving autodialed or prerecorded promotional texts and calls from Lyft.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“To grow the economy at a higher rate requires a comprehensive approach, and reform of the labor unions is a key part of the plan,” Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) said Monday in announcing his proposal to eliminate federal labor unions.