Bob King at Politico has reported a “flurry of midnight actions” within the Obama Administration. Federal agencies are rushing to commit a series of executive actions within the last months of the Obama presidency, despite the fact that Donald Trump’s Administration will erase much of this in January.
Basically, the Obama administration is planning to implement 98 new regulations, with at least seventeen of those within the economic fields. These new regulations will cost at least $100 million, but Donald Trump and the GOP Congress should be able to cancel or repeal most of these Hail Mary attempts — after the current administration has wasted time, energy, and money to create them.
President Obama | Photo Credit WikiMedia Commons
Obama Administration’s 100 Final Regulations
“Regulations on commodities speculation, air pollution from the oil industry, doctors’ Medicare drug payments and high-skilled immigrant workers are among the rules moving through the pipeline as Obama’s administration grasps at one last chance to cement his legacy. So are regulations tightening states’ oversight of online colleges and protecting funding for Planned Parenthood,” said the report.
Additional negotiations include investment treaties with China and other influences on the Education Department, specifically within student debt relief.
“The Department of Transportation may also go ahead with a ban on cellphone calls on commercial flights and a rule requiring that most freight trains have at least two crew members on duty.”
President Obama | Photo Credit WikiMedia Commons
Agencies Have Mixed Views
Within these attempts, some agencies are pulling back with the thought that Trump and GOP-led Congress will “permanently wipe out their 11th-hour regulations.” One example includes the Interior Department’s failure to release rules protecting streams from coal mining pollution.
However, other agencies have decided to move full steam ahead. “As I’ve mentioned to you before, we’re running—not walking—through the finish line of President Obama’s presidency,” said Gina McCarthy, who is the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator. “Thank you for taking that run with me.”
President Obama has continued to increase the regulatory burden on American businesses, despite the fact that he never lets an occasion pass without mentioning his commitment to create high-paying jobs for American workers.
Every administration tries to cement their legacy, but after nearly eight years of record-setting rule-making, the Obama administration needs to stop adding debt to America and let Trump step in to fix some of these issues. Spending unnecessarily, to salve his wounded pride, won’t stop our financial bleed.
Why do you think Obama is committed to adding all of these last-minute regulations?
