Walberg Bill to Increase Transparency, Prevent Rulemaking Misconduct Clears Oversight Committee

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Tim Walberg's (MI-07) bipartisan legislation to provide greater transparency and prevent misconduct during the federal government's rulemaking process advanced through the Oversight and Government Reform Committee. H.R. 5226, the Regulatory Integrity Act, requires agencies to post, in a central location, all the public comments they issue during the proposed rule stage. Click here to watch Congressman Walberg's remarks during today's committee markup.

"Trust in government is among its all-time low, in part, because of overreaching and unaccountable bureaucracies that too often push the boundaries of their authority," said Congressman Walberg. "The rulemaking process must be transparent and accountable to ensure that the final rule is effective and well-reasoned, but also that the public believes the process was legal and fair."

The Regulatory Integrity Act would help prevent future instances of misconduct like what occurred during the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) covert campaign efforts during the public rulemaking process for the flawed Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. The nonpartisan Government Accountability Office concluded the EPA overstepped and issued a report that said the agency undertook "covert propaganda" and "grassroots lobbying" during the process.

Congressman Walberg serves on the House Education and the Workforce Committee as Chair of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee. In addition, he serves on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. For more information on Walberg's work in Congress visit walberg.house.gov.