Regulatory Reform - May 2017

The Big Picture

The Big Picture

The Big Picture

Today, FreedomWorks Foundation filed a formal comment with the Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) opposing the Biden Administration's proposal to allow consideration of so-called "Environmental, Social, and Governance" (ESG) factors in choosing how to invest employees' pension and retirement funds. The comment argues that allowing ESG considerations in making investment decisions is both unwise, as ESG investments tend to offer lower returns and charge higher fees; and directly contrary to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), which requires investment managers (fiduciaries) of these employee funds to choose investments based solely on financial considerations. The full text of the comment is attached and can be accessed here.

Today, FreedomWorks Foundation filed a formal comment with the Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) opposing the Biden Administration's proposal to make permanent the mandate for COVID-19 vaccinations and testing. The comment argues that this mandate is unwise, unnecessary, and will further inflame opposition to the COVID vaccines among the vaccine-resistant public. Businesses are perfectly capable of determining what works for their employees. A number of businesses already require vaccination or regular testing; and some businesses, particularly in rural areas, may not be able to fill positions if potential employees face mandatory vaccination or regular testing. Instead of getting people back to work and growing the economy, people will sit idle--ultimately at the expense of beleaguered taxpayers. The full text of the comment is attached and can be accessed here.

Many of you are, without a doubt, looking forward to retirement. You’ve scrimped and saved, perhaps worked at a job you didn’t care for or worked more hours than you wanted to, just to put away more money for the day you could leave work behind for good and–finally–relax and enjoy life. And you probably saved most of your money in a 401(k) plan, especially if you’re one of the many whose employers do not offer pension plans. But if the Biden Administration has its way, your “golden years” may be more brass than gold.

On April 9th, 2021, President Biden signed an Executive Order that established a Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court of the United States (the Commission). Under Section 3 of the order, the Commission will produce a report to President Biden that among other things provides an analysis of the key arguments in the current debate for and against Supreme Court (Court) reform. The report must be provided to President Biden by November 15th, 2021.

Today, FreedomWorks Foundation submitted a formal comment to the Department of Energy (DOE) opposing its proposed rule to return to the inefficient Obama-Biden water and electricity standards for dishwashers and, in the process, eliminate the faster class of dishwashers that cleaned dishes thoroughly in one cycle.

Today, FreedomWorks Foundation submitted a formal comment opposing a proposed rule by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that would repeal President Trump's revised definition of "Waters of the United States."

The Big Picture