Regulatory Action Center Review - July 1, 2020

Welcome to the new and improved Regulatory Action Center (RAC) Review! RAC proudly keeps you up to date on what we’re up to and what we’re keeping our eyes on here in the swamp. We offer resources for you to get involved in the rulemaking process to hold unelected bureaucrats accountable and occasionally offer praise in the event they have a good impulse. We will also highlight the incredible work our activists have done to advance the principles of smaller government, lower taxes, free markets, personal liberty, and the rule of law. For more ways to get involved and stay informed, check the links at the bottom of this post.

RACtivists by the Numbers

Last year, RACtivists submitted a whopping 32,698 comments to 22 different regulatory dockets. They accounted for over a third of the total comments submitted to six of those dockets.

RACtivist Content of the Week

Comment submitted by RACtivist, Lynn E from Indiana to the FCC regarding the 5G fund for rural broadband:

Imagine for yourself having an important deadline to get a fundraising letter out to your constituents, only to have your mailbox play “sit ‘n spin” while your letter just wouldn’t go through… For thousands of rural school children, small businesses and local town officials that happens to them ALL THE TIME! It’s not far-fetched to say that small businesses, rural medical facilities, schools, etc. run at the same speed and efficiency as the rural internet. Please help bring them into the 21st century with the rest of the world. Won’t you do an active part to establish a 5G fund for rural Americans? Thank you in advance for your help.

To submit a comment like this by the deadline of July 27th, click HERE.

Four Things to Know

1) Trump Administration Seeks New Reforms for Asylum Claims

The Departments of Justice and Homeland Security (DOJ and DHS respectively) are proposing a rule that would make it easier to separate baseless asylum claims from meritorious ones. Those asylum seekers found to have credible fear of persecution will be able to be processed in a streamlined fashion. Whereas, those seeking to abuse our system and gain easy access to the U.S. will not be able to bog down resources for legitimate seekers. The rule also clarifies what signifies a “frivolous” claim.

Resources on this proposal:

The administration’s proposal: HERE

Submit a comment to DHS and DOJ: HERE

2) Supreme Court Rules CFPB Structure is Unconstitutional

The Supreme Court ruled that the structure of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a brainchild of Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), is unconstitutional. The Court ruled that the director must be able to be appointed and removed by the President at will. The Court did stop short of abolishing the agency altogether.

More information on the CFPB and this ruling:

FreedomWorks Foundation calling for such a determination back in 2016: HERE

Info from our friends at Competitive Enterprise Institute on the great work current CFPB Director Kathleen Kraninger has done: HERE

3) FCC Moving to Eliminate Price Regulation

The FCC is moving to eliminate price regulation that telephone carriers can assess on users. The original regulations were intended to stifle monopoly in the space. Given that we are no longer anywhere near monopolization, these regulations make no sense and only threaten to make the market less efficient.

Resources on this proposal:

A comment period is coming! Be on the lookout for a RAC landing page to submit yours soon! If you haven’t already, sign up to get all RAC updates: HERE

Statement by Commissioner O’Rielly: HERE

FCC’s Public Notice: **HERE**

FCC Fact Sheet: HERE

4) DHS Launches Task Force to Protect Statues and Monuments

As protesters and rioters across the country tear down statues of historical figures and memorials, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is establishing a new taskforce aimed at protecting them. This is in response to an executive order released by President Trump on June 26th.

More information on this move:

DHS Press Release: HERE

RAC Resources

You can always find all RAC content (blogs, updates, press releases, and comment campaigns) HERE.

You can always sign up to become an elite RACtivist, if you haven’t already, HERE.