A proposed tax and border bill in the US House of Representatives includes language that would grant President Donald Trump broad executive powers to delete federal regulations. The bill, written by the House Judiciary Committee, consolidates antitrust enforcement powers at the Justice Department and allows Republicans to potentially overturn reams of government regulations during Trump’s term.
The measure is a version of the REINS Act, which has been championed by conservatives for over a decade. It would require Congress to affirmatively approve major new regulations, but critics say it would slow down the rulemaking process and allow partisan majorities in Congress to determine regulations.
Under the proposal, federal agencies would submit portions of their rules to Congress for approval over a five-year period. If the rules are not approved, they would cease to have effect, effectively fast-tracking Trump’s deregulatory agenda.
The inclusion of this measure in the bill has sparked concerns that it could bolster Trump’s influence on antitrust enforcement. Critics argue that the change would undermine the Federal Trade Commission’s authority and give the Justice Department more control over antitrust enforcement.
The bill is considered a must-pass for Republicans, but its fate in the Senate is uncertain. The proposal has been supported by some key allies of Trump, including Elon Musk, who has expressed support for the REINS Act.
Source: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/29/trump-executive-powers-reins-act-ftc-antitrust-00317105