Obama pushing last-minute regulations hard before Trump takes over

With less than two months to go before his presidency is finally in the history books, Barack Obama is cramming as many last-minute regulations through the pike that he can before Donald Trump takes over the White House.

By mid-November, the Obama administration was reviewing nearly 100 “midnight” regulations on things like the environment, transportation, and financial marketplaces, noted the Christian Science Monitor. Just seventeen of them pack an estimated $100 million budget, too. The feeling of urgency arose from President-elect Trump promising to overrule “all illegal and overreaching executive orders” made by Obama.

The reason Democrats waited so late in the game was an issue of overconfidence. They had no reason to believe Hillary Clinton would lose and now they are faced with an altogether different reality. Republican lawmakers have reminded their opposition that they should avoid rushing forward with any new laws with an incoming administration.

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy wrote them a letter, warning against such “substantial policymaking” in this late hour. Especially those which “could have far-reaching impacts on the American people and economy:”

“Considering these potential consequences, we write to caution you against finalizing pending rules or regulations in the Administration’s last days. By refraining from acting with undue haste, you will ensure that agency staff may fully assess the costs and benefits of rules, making it less likely that unintended consequences will harm consumers and businesses.”

McCarthy also advised that the new administration and Congress should have “the opportunity to review and give direction” before any laws are made.

“Should you ignore this counsel, please be aware that we will work with our colleagues to ensure that Congress scrutinizes your actions – and, if appropriate, overturns them,” he stated.

What Obama is really attempting to secure, here, is his legacy; something he has reiterated time and again is of utmost importance. One way he is trying to do so is through environmental protections. And as president, Obama has designated more acres of land and water — 265 million to be exact — than any other president since Teddy Roosevelt and the 1906 U.S. Antiquities Act, which gave the office of the presidency power to protect public lands.

While protecting public lands is important, designating lands or monuments means them falling under the control of the federal government which monumentally mishandles most everything it touches. Such government overreach can have incalculable costs. Also, it’s Obama’s fixation on climate change that motivates him, and that will certainly lead to some disastrous consequences for businesses and the public alike.

The bottom line is, the feds should back off from cramming laws down our throats. Thankfully, the Congressional Review Act of 1996 offers one way for the majority Republican Congress to repeal these regulations and block anything similar from being enacted in the future. There is also another way: an Article V Convention of States. Once We the People hold the power to keep the federal government in check, we will be functioning as was originally intended.