Historically, Congress has delegated great authority to the executive branch when it came to regulatory matters. For the most part, the executive branch has had a free hand, and when regulators exceed the law, effective push-back frequently has come via the judicial branch.

Lately, however, Congress started asserting itself back into regulatory decision-making by using the Congressional Review Act to curb new regulations. But the executive branch struck back---President Donald J. Trump recently mandated a regulatory budget, the workings of which will be decided by his Office of Management and Budget.

In light of these developments, what role should Congress play in regulatory policy? Does it have the capacity to play a meaningful role? What tools does it have and need?

Come join us for this discussion. Lunch will be provided.

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Speakers: 

Jarrett Dieterle, R Street Institute

Kevin R. Kosar, R Street Institute

Philip Wallach, Brookings Institution

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This meeting is open to Capitol Hill staff (except interns); experts on Congress; and anyone else who cares about the well-being of America’s legislative branch. This meeting is open to media, and the group’s co-directors, Kevin R. Kosar and Lee Drutman, are available for interviews and comment. They can be reached at kkosar@rstreet.org and drutman@newamerica.org.

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New America and the R Street Institute launched the Legislative Branch Capacity Working Group in spring 2016. The group formed in response to widespread perception that Congress is dysfunctional. The Legislative Branch Capacity Working Group aims to assess Congress’ capacity to perform its constitutional duties and to collaborate on ideas to improve the legislative branch’s performance in our separation-of-powers system.