WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Vice Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, delivered remarks on the Senate floor detailing what she describes as significant growth in the administrative state under President Biden and its resultant consequences for Americans.
Senator Capito’s prepared remarks included several criticisms of President Biden’s policies:
“Well, here we go again. I rise today to address this chamber as President Biden and his administration enter yet another summer of executive overreach, as the administration adds layer after layer of bureaucracy that spells negative consequences for nearly every aspect of American life.”
Capito emphasized her view that President Biden’s tenure has been marked by a consistent expansion of government influence: “Throughout this president’s time in the White House, we haven’t seen much consistence… except when it comes to his desire to grow the influence of unelected government bureaucrats, defy congressional intent, and impose unnecessary rules, regulations, and red-tape. These things will forever define his administration.”
She cited statistics to support her claims: “As of June 7th of this year, the 946 final rules imposed by President Biden have cost the American taxpayer over 1.6 trillion dollars.”
The senator referenced historical principles while critiquing current practices: “Our Founding Fathers were quick to recognize that power and authority vested in one body would create devastating costs for the future of our nation… However, President Biden’s advocacy for the growth of the administrative state has put this separation into question.”
Capito listed several specific examples she considers instances of overreach:
– The EPA’s Clean Power Plan 2.0.
– A rule from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services imposing federal staffing mandates on long-term care facilities.
– A rule from Health and Human Services affecting unaccompanied migrant children.
– An interim final rule from Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security impacting firearm manufacturers.
– The EPA’s Coal Combustion Residuals final rule.
“The volume of these efforts truly goes to show the broken rulemaking process of this administration,” she said.
In concluding her remarks, Capito called for a return to legislative norms: “The growth of the administrative state has distorted the way that policy and lawmaking works in Washington, D.C… It does not start with: ‘we the administration.’”
Capito affirmed Senate Republicans’ commitment to holding the administration accountable: “Senate Republicans will continue to fight and hold the administration accountable… That is what they sent us here to do.”
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