Washington, D.C. – Dean of the United States House of Representatives, John D. Dingell (D-MI15) issued the following statement opposing  H.Res. 72.  This useless resolution directs certain standing committees to inventory and review existing, pending, and proposed regulations and orders from agencies of the Federal Government, particularly with respect to their effect on jobs and economic growth:

“Mr. Speaker,  I rise today in strong opposition to today’s repetitive, redundant resolution. 

“Today’s resolution is another political tactic by the Majority to claim they are working for the betterment of our economy, without actually undertaking the hard work needed to do so.  This resolution is a distraction to the Members of this institution, and a waste of 10 hours of legislative business.

“Mr. Speaker, do I need to provide my dear friends on the other side of the aisle with a copy of the House rules?  I will be glad to do so, as it appears that some of our Members have failed to educate themselves in the workings of this institution.  This resolution orders House Committees to conduct oversight that they should be already doing.  Each standing committee is mandated by the House rules to ‘review and study on a continuing basis the application, administration, and execution of all laws within its legislation jurisdiction’.

“We are now a month into the 112th Congress and the Majority has yet to call for a vote on a single job-creating piece of legislation.  The only job this resolution will create is the thankless task of copying this needless resolution.  If the true focus of the Majority is job creation and economic growth, the House should not be squandering a single minute of legislative business on repetitive, redundant resolutions that have no tangible impact on the workings of the House of Representatives, and no real economic benefits for the American people.

“I take seriously my obligation and responsibility to conduct vigorous oversight of our federal government.  Throughout my tenure I have conducted numerous investigations into our government’s regulations from the Clean Air Act to the newly enacted health reform law without the need for a resolution directing me to do so.  I also take seriously my obligation and responsibility to the people of the 15th Congressional District of Michigan, which includes reaching out to the various stakeholders to determine what impact rules or regulations have on themselves, their families, their businesses or the local economy.  These responsibilities – both in oversight and constituent service – will not be bettered by today’s resolution. 

“If the Majority wants a lesson in how to conduct vigorous oversight, I will gladly offer my counsel without the burden of using up valuable time on the House floor. 

“Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to vote against this political stunt.”

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