Westbank Louisiana News

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, has introduced the Upholding Standards of Accountability (USA) Act aimed at curbing the executive branch's power and ensuring federal agencies are accountable to Congress. This legislative move follows the Supreme Court's recent decision to overturn its 1984 Chevron ruling, which mandated federal courts to defer to an agency’s interpretation of ambiguous provisions in federal statutes if deemed reasonable by the court.

“For decades, the executive branch has exploited Chevron deference to increase its power beyond what Congress intended, all while skirting congressional oversight,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Now, with Chevron deference overturned, Congress must work to rein in the executive branch and hold it accountable to the people and their elected representatives.”

The USA Act proposes several measures:

- The head of a federal agency must testify about major rules before the committee of jurisdiction within 30 days of publication.

- Nominees for Senate-confirmed positions must testify before the committee prior to confirmation.

- Federal agencies are required to conduct retrospective reviews of cost-benefit analyses for major rulemakings within five years of each rule’s effective date.

- Federal agencies are permitted to communicate with Congress regarding proposed rules at all times.

- Federal agencies must provide timely and substantive responses to congressional oversight.

Following the Supreme Court's decision, Cassidy sent letters urging compliance with all HELP Committee oversight inquiries and requested information on how agencies plan to operate within their congressional authority and implement laws as intended by Congress.

For more details on this legislation or updates from HELP Republicans, visit their website or Twitter @GOPHELP.