Darrell Issa Asks Businesses Which Regulations Should be Killed

California Rep. Darrell Issa, the incoming leader of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

/ AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta

Republican Rep. Darrell Issa, who will lead the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, sent a letter to more than 150 companies and other organizations asking them to identify regulations that they would like to see eliminated.

"The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is examining existing and proposed regulations that negatively impact the economy and jobs," the letter opens. Issa goes on to ask recipients "for your assistance in identifying existing and proposed regulations that have negatively impacted job growth in your members' industry."

Politico, which first reported on the appeal, said that Duke Energy, the Association of American Railroads, FMC Corp., Toyota and Bayer are among the groups who were sent the letter on Dec. 13th. The American Petroleum Institute, National Association of Manufacturers, the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association and representatives of the health care and telecommunications industries were also reportedly contacted by Issa.

"There is something fundamentally flawed in embracing a premise that relies on attacking the largest employer in America - private industry," Issa spokesman Kurt Bardella said in a statement. "The anti-business policies of the past have hurt job creators, small and large. It's in the interest of every American that we create a regulatory environment that fosters economic growth and makes U.S. companies globally competitive. Maybe this disdain for job creators is why the current policies in place have failed to create the type of long-term, permanent jobs the American people were promised."

"Moving forward, gaining insight from job creators who have felt shut-out of the policy process so that we have a better understanding about what regulatory barriers are standing in the way of job creation is something policymakers across the ideological spectrum should support," he added.

Hotsheet asked Bardella whether Issa planned to use any mechanism to judge the value of the regulations in question other than the opinions of the companies and other organizations that are being regulated. Bardella did not directly answer that question.

"We're asking for input, that doesn't preclude positive feedback," he replied. "This is a process on getting facts, it really wouldn't make sense to pre-judge what we'll do until we have all the data."

Democrats and liberals have seized on the story to portray the GOP as in the pocket of big business.

"Yes, if there's one lesson Congressman Issa learned from the financial crisis that cost 8 million Americans their jobs or the BP oil spill that devastated the local economies in the Gulf region, it's that MORE deregulation is the key to 'job growth,'" said one e-mail highlighting the story from Americans United for Change.

"This really says it all about whose interests the GOP is really out to protect - and it's not middle class families," added the Democratic National Committee.

Business groups have complained that they have been shut out by the Obama administration, which successfully pushed for regulatory reform of Wall Street following the 2008 economic meltdown. One of the major complaints from some business groups has been the Environmental Protection Agency's push to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, an effort that has been strongly opposed by Congressional Republicans. The GOP successfully beat back efforts to craft legislation to address climate change last year.

Among the issues Issa has said he plans to investigate in the new Congress is regulation of business by the Obama administration.

[san850]

Wow, that's like asking a bunch of prisoners what laws they would like to see elminated so they can avoid winding up in prison again.

[stn_sage]

Well, there we have it! That goes to show WHO the GOP is really working for! As if, we didn't already know! Look! A lot of incumbents like Issa should already have an idea what laws might impinge on certain sectors of the economy! They shouldn't HAVE TO INVITE corporate America to tell them!
I think corporate America will let them know without being invited! This reminds me of how Bush/Cheney allowed the oil industry to write environmental law! OK, Republicans! Start thinking for yourselves, and doing your own homework!

[tsigili]

Why doesn't he seek a better solution? Press for tax increases, indeed special taxes, to hit business with, for off shore production of goods sold in the US, especially by companies, who are headquartered in the US.

Then if they move their headquarters off shore, then hit them with even more increases in taxes to do business in the US, as a foreign corporation.

Sooner or later, government has to recognize, that it cannot permit business to operate with impunity, against the overall interests of the country.

[MB-1234]

Sounds a lot like when the Bush crowd added the "prescription drug benefit" by asking Big Pharma to write the law for them. What did we end up with? A prescription drug benefit that took away the Government's ability to negotiate drug prices. Somehow the republican controlled congress and the Shrub thought this was good - the Government negotiates the price of everything from paperclips to warships, but in this case they said "we only want to pay full retail price". Oh yeah, then they didn't bother to find a way to pay for it either.

Here we go again! Big Business making laws that only benefit Big Business.

[simpleconservative]

Good for Issa, someone needs to reign in our political unproductive class and their members of the sales prevention team. Big government needs to be made a lot smaller!

[jimbom121]

How did that deregulation work out in the early part of the decade?

[wcl99]

Darrell Issa has to ask business leaders to identify regulations that they would like to see eliminated? Sounds like an admission the man doesn't have any ideas of his own. I assume his next step is to ask business leaders to propose how to eliminate those regulations and to write the law and then he would, if he could, have one business leader vote for the bill in his place. Issa appears to be much like the Rene Zellweger character in "Chicago" when she sat on Richard Gere's leg and Gere (big business) did all the talking and manipulating of Zellweger (Issa).

[velma179]

I love the "Chicago" reference. Awesome analogy.

Kudos.

[simpleconservative]

A wise man always asks for input from the most experienced parties if the basis of action is intellectual in nature. This contrasts nicely with Obama who only listens to pointy headed ivory tower elitists who do not have a scintilla of practical experience or knowledge!

[CNH]

Congressional Republicans receive their marching orders from the corporate world.

The health insurance industry has mandated that the GOP attempt to undermine health care reform legislation, the fossil fuel industries have instructed them to block any and all energy reform legislation, and Wall Street has declared that banking industry reforms be gutted.

The Republicans are simply carrying out the tasks for which they have been duly paid.

[velma179]

Yep.

Though you should understand that there is complicity across the political spectrum.

Democrats are not blameless. I would agree they care more about the middle class, but it is very difficult to remain a "person of the people" when the money bags land on your doorstep.

The honest tea party folks (yes, there are some!) will be learning this soon. I hope they don't lose faith in our country's ability to regenerate. It is a stronger place than the fear mongers would have you believe. Trust.

[jimbom121]

velma

The honest tea party folks were duped.

[bradkt1]

I agree that some government regulations are silly or overly burdensome and need to be adjusted or repealed. The problem is one of perspective however. The people writing the regs are trying to prevent the worst in the industry from doing their worst...be it mine or food safety, for example. The industry wants the regs written for the average business practices in the industry...or no regs at all. The GOP believes the fewer regs, the better. The Democrats believe that if business have shown that they can't be trusted to police themselves, they shouldn't be trusted to police themselves. Take the financial sector for example. Some of their reckless practices sent this country's economy down the toilet. I for one am not in favor of allowing these Wall Street bandits to do the exact same thing again.

There can be a compromise here between the two extremes. The question is whether either side in interested in finding that middle ground...

...and I certainly don't trust a Congress that takes money at very turn from the very people who have a vested economic interest in the outcome.

[34sender]

A repost because I feel very strongly about freedom in America!


The USA has both religious and political freedom.

Communists are not any less free to practice their ideas here than any other political group.

If a president or any elected person or body offends the majority of voters by practicing or allowing unfavorable political persons or groups access to our government, the people have one recourse -- vote him/her or them out.

McCarthy had no Constitutional right to investigate individual Americans for their political views --- what about that individual liberty thing, hey? He was soundly rebuked for holding his hearings, by the American people, among others. Fear of other political systems is not an American value, it is however a conservative bogey man. Without "fear of the other" conservatism would not exist. This is true, in all societies -- even those that are ruled by religious conservatives (such as the Taliban, etc).


I don't care how many books you read Mortarman-the ultra defensive (because you do know in your heart, that your tale isn't true...) nothing changes the facts at the HEART of this matter.

My soup is delicious, simmering now. I'll be making grilled cheese sandwiches with it. My sweetie gets a cooks night off tonight!


I wish you all well. I hope the ignorant learn and the wise continue to speak the truth.

peace
Again... good night and Good Luck!

[velma179]

Interesting to find you in the same place I left you months ago, Mortar.

You were defending yourself from people that saw your comments about yourself (me, included) as ringing very false.

You still have to defend something about yourself. Figure out that people only know you in this realm by what you write, that is the only way we know you on an anonymous comment board.

You have made some unsubstantiated claims that you, yourself contradicted in later comments. And when called out on that or anything, you have refused to acknowledge that you might ever be wrong about anything. You say you can admit you are wrong, but you have not done that in the entire time I have conversed with you here. I'd think it's been about three of four years.

Sender34 made a point, a radical point yes, but true. The USA does have religious and political freedom.
For someone who has proclaimed yourself to be a Constitutional scholar many times, it seems you would understand the concept you base your interpretation on -- individual liberty. That doesn't mean you get to decide which individual gets the liberty.

You are a fraud, Mortar. You want to be the smartest guy in the room and so, you have made up stories about yourself that give you authority on a given subject. But you betray yourself when you write out your opinions. I was one of the first that called you on this deception.

You are no expert.

Your opinion is exactly that -- Your opinion. Nothing more or less.

Maybe if you just talked to people without needing to be the Expert know it all, you'd find that other people care about this country as much as you do.
But we sure as heckluva are not the same as you. S'okay. You certainly have the same rights as I do in the USA, but not at the expense of mine. Remember that and get to know this great country.

Joe McCarthy was functionally insane. I fear you identify with this part of his nature. Just read your defensive, manic comments further down .... I will pray for you. I mean that.

[RobAla]

Sounds like a pretty good idea. We have a horrible 9.8% unemployment rate, after 2 years of failed progressive policies. We have come out of recessions before, and we know what works. Each time we reduced the tax burden on businesses and individuals, coupled with reduced regulations on businesses, we have come out. It certainly isn't a back idea to ask those in business as to which regulations are causing them not to hire.

Instead, we have suffered 2 years of progressive academics, who have a hatred for capitalism and profitable private business - most have never run a business, placing regulations on businesses. It is time to listen to those who know.

[steeepe]

yeah, let's get rid of regulations on pharmaceutical companies, oil companies, insurance companies, and, of course, banks. They will do what's in our best interests, won't they? While we're at it, let's get rid of the EPA and FDA. Who needs 'em? Companies will self-monitor. Let's just let the corporations run government and fund academic research. If they don't fund it, too bad. Who needs it?

[retm-w]

steepe

Sit down and read some of the regulations from OSHA and the EPA and see how stupid they are. I'll give you an OSHA example since I work with it almost everyday. If you are over 6 feet off the ground you must wear a safety harness with a tether. Now if you climb an 8 ft step ladder and are working off of it, what do you hook the tether to to keep you from falling?