Isakson Cosponsors Legislation to Impose 'Time-Out' on Obama Administration from Issuing Expensive, Job-Killing Regulations

Would Give American Businesses Predictable Environment for Growth, Investment of Capital

Sep 13, 2011

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., this week cosponsored legislation that would impose a one-year moratorium on all new federal regulations to give businesses a break from costly, job-killing regulations and provide a more predictable environment to foster expansion and growth. Federal agencies are preparing to impose 4,200 new regulations.

The Regulatory Time-Out Act, S.1538, was introduced by Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and has garnered the support of 16 Republican senators, including Isakson.

“The number one thing the federal government can do to create private sector jobs in the United States is to quit imposing burdensome regulations on businesses. Existing overreaching regulations and the threat of more regulations in the future are leaving businesses on the sidelines as they wait for a more predictable regulatory environment in which to invest their capital,” said Isakson. “I am pleased to support this legislation because it would go a long way in supporting job growth and stimulating our economy.”

Specifically, the legislation imposes a one-year moratorium on “significant” new rules issued from Executive Branch agencies and independent regulatory agencies from going into effect if those rules would have an adverse impact on jobs, the economy, or our international competitiveness. “Significant” rules include those costing more than $100 million per year. Exempt from the “time-out” are rules that foster private sector job creation.

Isakson has long-advocated a moratorium on federal regulations in order to stimulate job growth and has repeatedly challenged the Obama administration over numerous rules and regulations they have issued since January 2009 across various agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Labor Relations Board.