Ensuring Democratic Accountability in Agency Rulemaking

What it means

Requires that only senior presidential appointees can initiate or sign off on agency rules and regulations. Career officials would no longer have final authority on regulatory decisions, shifting power to officials directly accountable to the President through elections.

Expected impact

• Greater presidential control over the regulatory process across federal agencies
• Potential delays in rulemaking as agencies adjust to requiring senior appointee approval
• Increased political accountability for regulations, aligning regulatory decisions with elected officials
• Possible reduction in the influence of career civil servants in the regulatory process
• Additional administrative burden as agencies review 12 years of past significant rules