Update 01.06.17: This week, the House passed both the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act and the Midnight Rules Relief Act — which are now on their way to the Senate for a vote that could happen very soon.

If passed through the Senate, these bills would allow Congress to undo years of progress we fought for in the Obama Administration, rolling back anti-discrimination protections and gains for low-wage workers.

Send a message to your Senators now asking them to reject these dangerous bills before they go to a vote.

The new Congress just started and Republican leadership is wasting no time in pushing through bills that could have far reaching, disastrous impacts on our democracy for years to come.

Congress may very soon vote on two bills that would change the regulatory process and balance of power in our government. Defending our democratic process is a crucial part of who we are as American Jews. Send a message to your Members of Congress right now and ask them to vote against the Midnight Rules Relief and REINS Acts.

The Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act would require all major regulations issued by the Executive Branch to be approved by Congress before they can be implemented.The bill would allow Republican legislators to expand their unprecedented stonewalling, which could delay or shut down the implementation of critical new public health and safety safeguards, financial reforms and worker protections, thereby making industry even less accountable to the public.

The Midnight Rules Relief Act would radically and dangerously expand Congress’ existing ability to use the Congressional Review Act (CRA). Currently, under the CRA, Congress can “disapprove” of rules issued by the Executive Branch and make it as if the rules never existed while also prohibiting any similar rule from being issued until Congress says so. The Midnight Rules Relief Act would enable Congress to “disapprove” of more rules more quickly than ever before, making it harder to defend these crucial rules from partisan attacks.

If Republican leadership is successful in passing these laws, we could lose crucial gains from the Obama Administration that the American Jewish community has fought for, including:

• Restrictions on predatory payday lenders;
• Non-discrimination policies for federally funded health programs and homeless shelters;
• Rules requiring federal contractors to disclose labor law violations and provide employees with paid sick leave; And more.

Contact your Members of Congress right now to make sure they know that we’re watching and we won’t let them set our democracy back without a fight.