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# Summary of H.R. 9648 This bill, called the REINS Act (Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2024), would require Congress to approve major federal regulations before they can take effect. Currently, federal agencies can issue rules without explicit congressional approval, and Congress can only disapprove them under existing procedures. This bill reverses that process, making congressional approval mandatory for significant rules. Under the bill, federal agencies must submit detailed reports on major rules to Congress, including cost-benefit analyses and economic impact assessments. A major rule is defined as one with an annual economic effect of $100 million or more, or that significantly affects costs, competition, or employment. Congress would have 70 legislative days to pass a joint resolution approving the rule, or it automatically fails. The bill also requires agencies to offset new regulatory costs with deregulatory actions and establishes a "regulatory budget" system to control total regulatory costs government-wide. The legislation affects all federal agencies and any businesses, individuals, or groups subject to federal regulations. It establishes new procedures requiring agencies to publish guidance documents online and subjects existing major rules to periodic congressional review every 10 years. The bill would significantly expand Congress's role in the regulatory process and potentially slow or block implementation of regulations covering environmental protection, workplace safety, consumer protection, financial regulation, and other policy areas.

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