Dems Find End Run Around Late Bush Regs

Clinton-era law gives Congress power to overturn regulations

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 12, 2008 1:58 PM CST

(Newser) – The Bush White House thought it was pretty clever rushing to get all its so-called midnight regulations finalized by Nov. 1 so they couldn't be immediately overturned by the next president, as many of Bill Clinton's parting gifts were. But congressional Democrats say they've found an obscure Clinton-era law that will allow them to strike down the rules anyway.

The Congressional Review Act of 1996 gives Congress the power to review and overturn any regulation finalized within 60 days of congressional adjournment, meaning a simple party-line vote could undo Bush’s policies. Better still for Dems, the move can’t be filibustered. Of course congressional actions are more ponderous than executive ones. One midnight-regulation researcher suggests that, to speed things along, Obama send Congress a bundled bill to strike every regulation he disapproves of.

President Bush and President-elect Obama walk along the West Wing Colonnade of the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 10, 2008, prior to their meeting in the Oval Office. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

President Bush and President-elect Obama walk along the West Wing Colonnade of the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 10, 2008 prior to their meeting in the Oval Office. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

The White House is seen from the South Lawn as President-elect Obama and President Bush, both not pictured, met in the Oval Office, Monday, Nov. 10, 2008, in Washington. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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Dems Find End Run Around Late Bush Regs

Clinton-era law gives Congress power to overturn regulations

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'Accommodation' for religious employers will likely be announced today

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That's more than double the proportion from 2007: analysis

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At least 28 more plan to seek one

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Dems Find End Run Around Late Bush Regs

Clinton-era law gives Congress power to overturn regulations

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Bush administration • Barack Obama • Democratic Congress • George W. Bush • Obama administration • President Obama • midnight regulation

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Detroit Bust Would've Been Better Than Bailout

Ex-Prez Bush says bailout his idea, and a good one

Obama Unveils $3.8T Budget, Targets Rich

Budget would institute 'Buffett Rule,' boost infrastructure

White House to Budge on Birth-Control Mandate

'Accommodation' for religious employers will likely be announced today

Small Donors Gave 48% of Obama's 2011 Donations

That's more than double the proportion from 2007: analysis

No Child Left Behind Waiver Granted to 10 States

At least 28 more plan to seek one

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