Would REINS act unleash polluters?

All four of Kansas’ representatives in Congress voted last week for the Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act, which would require that Congress approve any federal regulation that will affect the economy by $100 million or more. Rep. Lynn Jenkins, R-Topeka, called the measure a “commonsense bill” and hoped it would “ provide some measure of regulatory relief for our job creators.” But others view the bill, which has no chance of clearing the Senate, as purely political. And some advocacy groups warned of its dangers if it were to become law. Public Citizen called the legislation “the greatest threat to public health and safety in a generation.” Charles D. Connor, president and CEO of the American Lung Association, said: “This latest legislative assault would undermine decades of hard work to ensure public health is protected over special interests.”