IB 
Union Calendar No. 161 
114TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 427 
[Report No. 114–214, Part I] 
To amend chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, to provide that major 
rules of the executive branch shall have no force or effect unless a 
joint resolution of approval is enacted into law. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 21, 2015 
Mr. YOUNG of Indiana (for himself, Mr. MASSIE, Mr. SIMPSON, Mr. BRADY 
of Texas, Mr. DESJARLAIS, Mr. SMITH of Texas, Mr. SMITH of Ne-
braska, Mr. JONES, Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia, Mr. ROUZER, Mr. 
MURPHY of Pennsylvania, Mr. ROE of Tennessee, Mr. POSEY, Mr. SES-
SIONS, Mr. FRANKS of Arizona, Mr. STEWART, Mr. RIBBLE, Mr. WEBER 
of Texas, Mr. ROTHFUS, Mr. TIPTON, Mr. YOHO, Mr. THORNBERRY, Mr. 
WESTMORELAND, Mr. TURNER, Mr. BRIDENSTINE, Mr. KELLY of Penn-
sylvania, Mr. FLORES, Mr. PEARCE, Mr. WILSON of South Carolina, Mr. 
CHAFFETZ, Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois, Mr. MCCAUL, Mr. RICE of 
South Carolina, Mr. HANNA, Mr. STIVERS, Mr. DUNCAN of South Caro-
lina, Mr. OLSON, Mr. BLUM, Mr. GRAVES of Missouri, Mr. WILLIAMS, 
Mr. HARPER, Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan, Mr. LONG, Mr. BENISHEK, 
Mr. SALMON, Mrs. BLACK, Mr. MCKINLEY, Mr. GIBSON, Mr. JOLLY, Mr. 
POMPEO, Mr. LATTA, Mr. GOODLATTE, Mr. MULLIN, Mr. WALBERG, Mr. 
BUCSHON, Mr. PITTENGER, Mr. FINCHER, Mr. FARENTHOLD, Mr. 
HUELSKAMP, Mr. GOSAR, Mr. MCCLINTOCK, Mr. YOUNG of Alaska, Mr. 
COLE, Mr. FORTENBERRY, Mr. BOUSTANY, Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsyl-
vania, Mr. CRENSHAW, Mr. VALADAO, Mr. BROOKS of Alabama, Mr. 
ROKITA, Mr. GIBBS, Mr. CULBERSON, Mr. CLAWSON of Florida, Mr. 
MESSER, Mr. FORBES, Mr. BARR, Mrs. NOEM, Mr. WEBSTER of Florida, 
Mr. HUNTER, Mr. DIAZ-BALART, Mr. CHABOT, Mrs. MCMORRIS ROD-
GERS, Mr. GUTHRIE, Mr. HUDSON, Ms. JENKINS of Kansas, Mr. TIBERI, 
Mr. WENSTRUP, Mrs. LUMMIS, Mr. GARRETT, Mr. CRAWFORD, Mrs. 
BLACKBURN, Mr. NUGENT, Mr. SHIMKUS, Mr. FITZPATRICK, Mr. DUN-
CAN of Tennessee, Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas, Mr. LAMALFA, Mr. 
PALAZZO, Mr. FLEISCHMANN, Mr. MEADOWS, Mr. HENSARLING, Mr. 
GUINTA, Mr. GOHMERT, Mr. BYRNE, Mr. LOUDERMILK, Mr. MILLER of 
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Florida, Mrs. WALORSKI, Mr. ROSKAM, Mr. GROTHMAN, Mr. NUNNELEE, 
Mr. NUNES, Mr. CRAMER, Mr. YODER, Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana, Mr. 
ROGERS of Alabama, Mr. HARDY, Mr. SMITH of Missouri, Mr. GRIFFITH, 
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN, Mrs. WAGNER, Mr. BABIN, Mr. COLLINS of New 
York, Mr. SCHOCK, Mr. HULTGREN, Mr. DESANTIS, Mr. WOMACK, Mr. 
KLINE, Mr. HECK of Nevada, Mr. MARINO, Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin, Mr. 
LAMBORN, Mr. MULVANEY, Mr. AMODEI, and Mr. MOONEY of West Vir-
ginia) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee 
on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Rules and the 
Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in 
each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdic-
tion of the committee concerned 
JULY 21, 2015 
Additional sponsors: Mr. PAULSEN, Mr. SANFORD, Mr. BOST, Mr. ABRAHAM, 
Mr. RATCLIFFE, Mr. NEUGEBAUER, Mr. ROSS, Mr. REED, Mr. 
SCHWEIKERT, Mrs. LOVE, Mrs. ROBY, Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio, Mr. 
DUFFY, Ms. STEFANIK, Mr. HILL, Mrs. HARTZLER, Mr. ALLEN, Mr. 
GRAVES of Georgia, Mr. YOUNG of Iowa, Mr. BUCK, Mr. COLLINS of 
Georgia, Ms. MCSALLY, Mr. BARLETTA, Mr. BISHOP of Michigan, Mr. 
JORDAN, Mr. DOLD, Mr. CALVERT, Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia, Mr. 
WESTERMAN, Mr. KNIGHT, Mr. STUTZMAN, Mr. HURD of Texas, Mr. 
EMMER of Minnesota, Mr. WALDEN, Ms. HERRERA BEUTLER, Mr. LAB-
RADOR, Mr. CARTER of Georgia, and Mr. NEWHOUSE 
JULY 21, 2015 
Reported from the Committee on the Judiciary with an amendment 
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic] 
JULY 21, 2015 
The Committees on Rules and the Budget discharged; committed to the Com-
mittee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be 
printed 
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on January 21, 2015] 
A BILL 
To amend chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, to provide 
that major rules of the executive branch shall have no 
force or effect unless a joint resolution of approval is 
enacted into law. 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Regulations from the 
Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2015’’. 
SEC. 2. PURPOSE. 
The purpose of this Act is to increase accountability 
for and transparency in the Federal regulatory process. Sec-
tion 1 of article I of the United States Constitution grants 
all legislative powers to Congress. Over time, Congress has 
excessively delegated its constitutional charge while failing 
to conduct appropriate oversight and retain accountability 
for the content of the laws it passes. By requiring a vote 
in Congress, the REINS Act will result in more carefully 
drafted and detailed legislation, an improved regulatory 
process, and a legislative branch that is truly accountable 
to the American people for the laws imposed upon them. 
SEC. 3. CONGRESSIONAL REVIEW OF AGENCY RULEMAKING. 
Chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, is amended 
to read as follows: 
‘‘CHAPTER 8—CONGRESSIONAL REVIEW 
OF AGENCY RULEMAKING 
‘‘Sec. 
‘‘801. Congressional review. 
‘‘802. Congressional approval procedure for major rules. 
‘‘803. Congressional disapproval procedure for nonmajor rules. 
‘‘804. Definitions. 
‘‘805. Judicial review. 
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‘‘806. Exemption for monetary policy. 
‘‘807. Effective date of certain rules. 
‘‘§ 801. Congressional review 
‘‘(a)(1)(A) Before a rule may take effect, the Federal 
agency promulgating such rule shall submit to each House 
of the Congress and to the Comptroller General a report 
containing— 
‘‘(i) a copy of the rule; 
‘‘(ii) a concise general statement relating to the 
rule; 
‘‘(iii) a classification of the rule as a major or 
nonmajor rule, including an explanation of the classi-
fication specifically addressing each criteria for a 
major rule contained within sections 804(2)(A), 
804(2)(B), and 804(2)(C); 
‘‘(iv) a list of any other related regulatory ac-
tions intended to implement the same statutory provi-
sion or regulatory objective as well as the individual 
and aggregate economic effects of those actions; and 
‘‘(v) the proposed effective date of the rule. 
‘‘(B) On the date of the submission of the report under 
subparagraph (A), the Federal agency promulgating the 
rule shall submit to the Comptroller General and make 
available to each House of Congress— 
‘‘(i) a complete copy of the cost-benefit analysis 
of the rule, if any; 
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‘‘(3) A major rule relating to a report submitted under 
paragraph (1) shall take effect upon enactment of a joint 
resolution of approval described in section 802 or as pro-
vided for in the rule following enactment of a joint resolu-
tion of approval described in section 802, whichever is later. 
‘‘(4) A nonmajor rule shall take effect as provided by 
section 803 after submission to Congress under paragraph 
(1). 
‘‘(5) If a joint resolution of approval relating to a 
major rule is not enacted within the period provided in sub-
section (b)(2), then a joint resolution of approval relating 
to the same rule may not be considered under this chapter 
in the same Congress by either the House of Representatives 
or the Senate. 
‘‘(b)(1) A major rule shall not take effect unless the 
Congress enacts a joint resolution of approval described 
under section 802. 
‘‘(2) If a joint resolution described in subsection (a) 
is not enacted into law by the end of 70 session days or 
legislative days, as applicable, beginning on the date on 
which the report referred to in section 801(a)(1)(A) is re-
ceived by Congress (excluding days either House of Congress 
is adjourned for more than 3 days during a session of Con-
gress), then the rule described in that resolution shall be 
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deemed not to be approved and such rule shall not take ef-
fect. 
‘‘(c)(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this 
section (except subject to paragraph (3)), a major rule may 
take effect for one 90-calendar-day period if the President 
makes a determination under paragraph (2) and submits 
written notice of such determination to the Congress. 
‘‘(2) Paragraph (1) applies to a determination made 
by the President by Executive order that the major rule 
should take effect because such rule is— 
‘‘(A) necessary because of an imminent threat to 
health or safety or other emergency; 
‘‘(B) necessary for the enforcement of criminal 
laws; 
‘‘(C) necessary for national security; or 
‘‘(D) issued pursuant to any statute imple-
menting an international trade agreement. 
‘‘(3) An exercise by the President of the authority 
under this subsection shall have no effect on the procedures 
under section 802. 
‘‘(d)(1) In addition to the opportunity for review oth-
erwise provided under this chapter, in the case of any rule 
for which a report was submitted in accordance with sub-
section (a)(1)(A) during the period beginning on the date 
occurring— 
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‘‘(A) in the case of the Senate, 60 session days, 
or 
‘‘(B) in the case of the House of Representatives, 
60 legislative days, 
before the date the Congress is scheduled to adjourn a session 
of Congress through the date on which the same or suc-
ceeding Congress first convenes its next session, sections 802 
and 803 shall apply to such rule in the succeeding session 
of Congress. 
‘‘(2)(A) In applying sections 802 and 803 for purposes 
of such additional review, a rule described under paragraph 
(1) shall be treated as though— 
‘‘(i) such rule were published in the Federal Reg-
ister on— 
‘‘(I) in the case of the Senate, the 15th ses-
sion day, or 
‘‘(II) in the case of the House of Representa-
tives, the 15th legislative day, 
after the succeeding session of Congress first convenes; 
and 
‘‘(ii) a report on such rule were submitted to 
Congress under subsection (a)(1) on such date. 
‘‘(B) Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to 
affect the requirement under subsection (a)(1) that a report 
shall be submitted to Congress before a rule can take effect. 
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‘‘(3) A rule described under paragraph (1) shall take 
effect as otherwise provided by law (including other sub-
sections of this section). 
‘‘§ 802. Congressional approval procedure for major 
rules 
‘‘(a)(1) For purposes of this section, the term ‘joint res-
olution’ means only a joint resolution addressing a report 
classifying 
a 
rule 
as 
major 
pursuant 
to 
section 
801(a)(1)(A)(iii) that— 
‘‘(A) bears no preamble; 
‘‘(B) bears the following title (with blanks filled 
as appropriate): ‘Approving the rule submitted by 
lll relating to lll.’; 
‘‘(C) includes after its resolving clause only the 
following (with blanks filled as appropriate): ‘That 
Congress approves the rule submitted by lll re-
lating to lll.’; and 
‘‘(D) is introduced pursuant to paragraph (2). 
‘‘(2) After a House of Congress receives a report 
classifying 
a 
rule 
as 
major 
pursuant 
to 
section 
801(a)(1)(A)(iii), the majority leader of that House (or his 
or her respective designee) shall introduce (by request, if ap-
propriate) a joint resolution described in paragraph (1)— 
‘‘(A) in the case of the House of Representatives, 
within three legislative days; and 
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‘‘(B) in the case of the Senate, within three ses-
sion days. 
‘‘(3) A joint resolution described in paragraph (1) 
shall not be subject to amendment at any stage of pro-
ceeding. 
‘‘(b) A joint resolution described in subsection (a) shall 
be referred in each House of Congress to the committees hav-
ing jurisdiction over the provision of law under which the 
rule is issued. 
‘‘(c) In the Senate, if the committee or committees to 
which a joint resolution described in subsection (a) has been 
referred have not reported it at the end of 15 session days 
after its introduction, such committee or committees shall 
be automatically discharged from further consideration of 
the resolution and it shall be placed on the calendar. A vote 
on final passage of the resolution shall be taken on or before 
the close of the 15th session day after the resolution is re-
ported by the committee or committees to which it was re-
ferred, or after such committee or committees have been dis-
charged from further consideration of the resolution. 
‘‘(d)(1) In the Senate, when the committee or commit-
tees to which a joint resolution is referred have reported, 
or when a committee or committees are discharged (under 
subsection (c)) from further consideration of a joint resolu-
tion described in subsection (a), it is at any time thereafter 
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in order (even though a previous motion to the same effect 
has been disagreed to) for a motion to proceed to the consid-
eration of the joint resolution, and all points of order 
against the joint resolution (and against consideration of 
the joint resolution) are waived. The motion is not subject 
to amendment, or to a motion to postpone, or to a motion 
to proceed to the consideration of other business. A motion 
to reconsider the vote by which the motion is agreed to or 
disagreed to shall not be in order. If a motion to proceed 
to the consideration of the joint resolution is agreed to, the 
joint resolution shall remain the unfinished business of the 
Senate until disposed of. 
‘‘(2) In the Senate, debate on the joint resolution, and 
on all debatable motions and appeals in connection there-
with, shall be limited to not more than 2 hours, which shall 
be divided equally between those favoring and those oppos-
ing the joint resolution. A motion to further limit debate 
is in order and not debatable. An amendment to, or a mo-
tion to postpone, or a motion to proceed to the consideration 
of other business, or a motion to recommit the joint resolu-
tion is not in order. 
‘‘(3) In the Senate, immediately following the conclu-
sion of the debate on a joint resolution described in sub-
section (a), and a single quorum call at the conclusion of 
the debate if requested in accordance with the rules of the 
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