Rand Paul: REINS Act, Government Shutdown Prevention Act and Life at Conception Act reintroduced

In the past week, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul was behind the reintroduction of three important pieces of legislation–the REINS Act, Government Shutdown Prevention Act and Life at Conception Act.

REINS Act

2015 photo/ Gage Skidmore

Along with Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Todd Young (R-IN), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and 29 other cosponsors, the “Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny” (REINS) Act was reintroduced this week. The bill is designed to increase accountability and transparency in the federal regulatory process. Senator Paul has been lead Senate sponsor of the bill each Congress since 2011.

The REINS Act would rein in unelected federal bureaucrats by requiring that Congress affirmatively approve every new “major rule” proposed by the Executive Branch before it can be enforced on the American people, as opposed to the status quo, where regulations ultimately take effect unless Congress specifically disapproves.

“Last Congress, we made tremendous progress on relieving the burdens placed on the American people by unelected bureaucrats, but much more remains to be done. Passing the REINS Act would reassert Congress’ legislative authority and help us further reduce unnecessary, overreaching government interference in Americans’ everyday lives,” said Senator Paul.

Government Shutdown Prevention Act 

The Government Shutdown Prevention Act was reintroduced to incentivize Congress to properly consider and debate spending legislation. U.S. Senators Mike Lee (R-UT) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) joined Dr. Paul in introducing the bill.

Instead of government shutting down operations over stalled funding in the future, Dr. Paul’s plan would keep government open but institute a one-percent cut to then-current funding levels for any agency, program, and activity that Congress failed to fund by the start of the fiscal year (October 1). Funding would be reduced by another one percent every 90 days thereafter that an agreement is still not enacted.

“No matter where one stands on the debate over government spending, we should all be able to agree that Congress needs to handle Americans’ money thoughtfully and hit its deadlines. The Government Shutdown Prevention Act would take a major step forward toward bringing basic fiscal responsibility to Capitol Hill,” said Sen. Paul.

Life at Conception Act 

On Friday, in honor of the annual March for Life, Paul reintroduced the S. 159, the Life at Conception Act.

“Each year, the March for Life calls on the powerful to protect life at its most helpless. What we say about the value of human life fundamentally impacts who and what we will be as a nation. In recognition of this, I have reintroduced the Life at Conception Act to ensure the unborn receive equal protection under the law, along with legislation to end forced taxpayer support of Planned Parenthood. May the message heard today and the marchers’ passionate dedication inspire change to reaffirm this most basic of rights,” said Sen. Paul.

The bill does not amend or interpret the Constitution but simply relies on the 14th Amendment, which specifically authorizes Congress to enforce its provisions.

In addition to introducing the Life at Conception Act in multiple sessions of Congress, Dr. Paul’s stand for life includes forcing the Senate to go on the record in 2015 and 2018 on his efforts to stop federal funding of Planned Parenthood.

Dr. Paul’s reintroduced bill to prohibit federal dollars from going to Planned Parenthood (S. 158), which you can read HERE, would not reduce federal funding for women’s health services, which would continue to be provided by other entities.

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