A Fundamental Change in the Balance of Power

It’s not often that the new guys in Congress get to bring big legislation to the floor. I’ve been honored that in the last few weeks, the leadership asked me to bring some of the biggest legislation to the floor, including the Balanced Budget Amendment, and to manage the debate on it. This week, they did it again with the REINS Act. I’m not sure how familiar you all are with the legislation, so here is quick summary. Forgive me if this is old hat for some of you.

The REINS Act would fundamentally change the balance of power in regards to rulemaking favoring Congress over the administration. The bill says that any “major rule” (one that would cost more than $100 million to implement, have a negative effect on consumers, etc) must be approved by Congress before going into effect. In other words, the administration can effectively no longer make new laws all by itself anymore.

This policy would remain in place regardless of who is in office or what party controls Congress. It is a fundamental question of Congress taking back some of the authority it has ceded over the years that constitutionally and rightfully belongs to the legislative branch. It’s a big deal and I was mighty proud to bring it to the floor for consideration. 

Click here for video of the debate.

Op-Ed – 70^th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor

Seventy years ago, on the morning of December 7^th, 1941, just before 8:00 am, the first wave of 181 Japanese planes hit Pearl Harbor. Before the day was done, scores of our service members lay dead, our Pacific Fleet was crippled, and America was at war. 

We were knocked down that day. But over the next few years, an entire generation of young men and women rose to the call of duty. Our families came together and our businesses fought to conserve resources. Our factories, seemingly overnight, turned themselves into the greatest war machine the world had ever seen. Our boys stormed beaches and our bombers pounded the enemy. We fought back. We gave it everything we had – everything – and we prevailed. We changed America’s history and the world’s history forever.

Throughout the last two hundred years, Americans have stepped up in the face of adversity. When things have seemed their darkest, Americans have stood together, fought beside one another, and pushed through.

America is in such a period now. Millions of families are struggling – without work, without the security of being able to put a roof over their children’s heads, and without a clue as to how they will keep pushing on much longer.

It will take time and it will not be easy, but America will pull through this recession as she has every other great challenge she has faced. I know we will pull through because that’s what my parents taught me – two Americans of the Greatest Generation, two of millions who saw America during her darkest hour and pushed through.

If you need inspiration, if you need a reason to believe that we can get through this period of divisive politics, economic pain, joblessness, homelessness and strife, just find a member of the Greatest Generation and ask them how they did it. Ask them where they found the courage and fortitude to keep pushing ahead when all seemed lost. And on this 70^th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor, also remember those who left us, the ones who didn’t make it. Keep those brave souls in your prayers, as with all members of our Armed Forces. 

Editor's Note: Richard Nugent is the U.S. Representative for Congress' 5th District of Florida. To find out more about him, visit his website at Nugent.house.gov.