The House of Representatives has returned to session, and its new and incumbent members have sworn in and are voting to retain Representative Mike Johnson (R-LA) as Speaker of the House. On top of the vote, Representative Kat Cammack (R-FL) has already introduced two bills to hit the ground running ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration, saying, "I'm looking forward to reinvigorating our economy, securing our southern border, and making our communities safe again."
Rep. Cammack's first piece of legislation reintroduced is the Regulations from the Executive In Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act, which she had originally introduced in January 2023 and passed the House in June 2023. The REINS Act would require Congressional approval of federal agencies implementing or enforcing "major" rulings with any of the following effects: cost or price increases for consumers, "significant" adverse effects on American industry, or an economic impact totaling $100 million or more.
In September, Rep. Cammack introduced new REINS Act provisions, including the right to sue a federal agency for implementing or enforcing a rule without Congressional approval. Individuals can defend themselves by saying that "the average person would not have known their actions violated federal law if the statute did not clearly state it" and allowing for the withdrawal of costly or burdensome rules without Congressional approval.
The second bill the Florida Congresswoman introduced after swearing in is the Unauthorized Spending Accountability (USA) Act, which Representative Kathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) also introduced in 2023.
The USA Act, as described in Cammack's press release, "establishes a budgetary level reduction schedule to start in fiscal year 2026 for any authorized program or activity listed in the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) annual report. The bill also reduces the budgetary level for unauthorized programs by an amount equal to ten percent of the funds appropriated for the program in the expiring fiscal year."
In a statement, Cammack said, "It's an honor to serve the Third Congressional District of Florida in the House of Representatives. We have worked hard over the last four years to represent North Central Florida and make it the best place to live, work, and raise a family. With President Trump taking the Oath of Office in just over two weeks, I'm looking forward to reinvigorating our economy, securing our southern border, and making our communities safe again. With Republicans in the House, Senate, and White House, we are well-positioned to take action on President Trump's agenda and deliver for the American people. I look forward to moving these bills across the finish line."
