Democrats Say Oversight Is Overdue

DEMOCRATS SAY OVERSIGHT IS OVERDUE
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Cindy Skrzycki cskrzycki@bloomberg.net]
The rulemaking agenda in Washington is about to change. Business, labor and public interest groups agree that the incoming Democratic House and Senate will conduct robust oversight of federal agencies and their regulatory output and policies. Business lobbyists have been powerful players with the Congress and the White House under Republican control the past six years. The emphasis was on minimal regulation, easy access to federal rulemakers, many of whom came from industry, and almost no congressional oversight. "I can't be happier," said Gary Bass, executive director of OMB Watch, a nonprofit group in Washington that monitors regulatory policy. "The public wins. Some of these political appointees are going to have to learn what oversight is." Rep. John D. Dingell (D-MI) is set to return as chairman of the Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over consumer protection, telecommunications, air quality, energy, and food and drug safety. Rep Dingell has a reputation for relentless investigation, and his "Dingellgrams" -- requests for exhaustive paperwork from federal agencies and witnesses -- are remembered and feared in Washington. "When you are battered up there, it does affect your direction," recalled James Tozzi, who made frequent appearances before Rep Dingell when he was in leadership positions at the Office of Management and Budget's regulatory-review office. "It was an unpleasant but fair exercise."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/13/AR2006111301291.html
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