Senator urges congressional review of major rules in floor speech backing REINS Act

An unnamed senator addressed the Senate floor to advocate for the REINS Act, saying it would require congressional approval for major federal regulations and restore accountability to the rule‑making process.

The senator framed the bill as a constitutional corrective and an economic safeguard, telling colleagues that unelected agency rule‑making has grown "unchecked" and that Congress should have the final say on major rules. He cited Article I of the U.S. Constitution and placed the estimated cost of complying with federal regulations in the trillions of dollars.

"The journey of the REINS Act began years ago with a profound recognition that something something was fundamentally wrong with our federal regulatory system," the senator said. He described the measure as intended "to ensure that unelected bureaucrats cannot impose major regulations on us without the consent of our elected representatives."

The senator invoked the Constitution directly, saying, "The very first operative provision of that doctrine, article 1, section 1, law school, makes this clear. All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in the Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a a Senate and a House of Representatives." He also referred to Article I, Section 7 to describe the process by which a law must be enacted.

On economic effects, the senator cited an earlier study and his own estimate for the total cost of complying with federal regulations. "They estimated that the cost, well, impossible to calculate in its entirety was at least $2,000,000,000,000," he said, adding that he now believed the figure was "somewhere between 2,000,000,000,000 and $3,000,000,000,000." He argued that those costs are borne disproportionately by low‑ and middle‑income Americans and small businesses.

The senator praised the House of Representatives and members of the House Freedom Caucus for advancing the bill, calling their efforts "tireless" and describing the moment as "a victory for freedom, for common sense, and for the hardworking families who deserve a government that serves, not stifles them." He closed by saying the REINS Act would not eliminate regulations but would require Congress to vote on major rules before they take effect.

The transcript of these remarks does not record any formal motion, vote, or Senate action on the REINS Act during this speech. The senator repeatedly addressed the chamber as "mister president" and thanked the House members who had supported the measure.