As officials begin transitioning further into the next phase of reopening Georgia, the state’s two U.S. Senators are looking for ways to help more Georgians recover from the COVID-19 crisis, and recently joined with some of their peers in a push for additional regulatory relief. They are asking for the federal government to “provide a roadmap for businesses that is paved without unnecessary roadblocks and burdensome regulations.”
Late last week, Senator David Perdue (R-GA) and Senator Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) joined with Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Mike Lee (R-UT), and Thom Tillis (R-NC) in writing a letter to Russell Vought, Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget. The letter urges the Administration to phase out all federal regulations that have been waived during the COVID-19 crisis and allow the rules to go back through the regulatory review process to determine if they need to be maintained, modified, or permanently repealed.
“As the United States begins to reopen amid the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses and their employees will continue to face obstacles as they work to navigate a new and more challenging environment,” the letter states. “We think it is essential that the federal government do more to provide a roadmap for businesses that is paved without unnecessary roadblocks and burdensome regulations.”
In the letter, the groups of senators cited several regulations that have been waived to improve COVID-19 response efforts and provide greater flexibility during the pandemic. For example, because overly burdensome rules were suspended, doctors have been able to practice medicine across state lines and provide telehealth services for Medicare patients.
“We urge you to sunset all federal regulations that have been waived and continue to be waived during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing the rules to go back through the regulatory process to determine whether these regulations should be temporary or permanent,” they wrote. “It is imperative the federal government continues to lessen the burden of unnecessary regulations in a systematic manner moving forward since we do not know where the next crisis may strike.
The Senators said they stand ready to work “with you to take decisive actions on this request.”
