Washington Lobbyists' Big Christmas Wish: Rolling Back Rules

A holiday gift-wrapped by lawmakers, tailored just for lobbyists. In Washington, over 13, 000 lobbyists are salivating over the chance to undo rules they didn't like. This sneaky trick is called the Congressional Review Act, which lets new leaders erase rules from the last few months of the previous administration. Republicans have a golden opportunity to do this now. It's like a magic wand that can wipe away protections with barely any effort. What's on the chopping block? Rules that raise Head Start teachers' pay, stop teens from smoking, and clean up drinking water. These rules are crucial for low-income kids, public health, and the environment. But lobbyists are already lining up to kill them. They're hoping to curry favor with the new administration. This isn't just about erasing rules; it's about stopping similar ones from ever coming back. Once a rule is gone, agencies are scared to try again. That's why some rules, like those protecting workers from ergonomic injuries, never returned. Lobbyists are using this loophole to undo progress. It's like unwrapping a present and finding a lump of coal instead. The real question is: When will lawmakers stop playing Santa for lobbyists and start working for the people?