WASHINGTON (January 30, 2017)—President Donald Trump has signed an executive order requiring federal agencies to eliminate two regulations for every new one they enact.
Below is a statement by Ken Kimmell, president of the Union of Concerned Scientists.
“This executive order is absurd, imposing a Sophie’s choice on federal agencies. If, for example, the EPA wants to issue a new rule to protect kids from mercury exposure, will it need to get rid of two other science-based rules, such as limiting lead in drinking water and cutting pollution from school buses?
“It is also likely illegal. Congress has not called upon EPA to choose between clean air and clean water, and the president cannot do this by executive fiat. As is the case with so many other actions we have seen since the inauguration, Mr. Trump is capturing showy headlines while he drives us off a cliff.”
Please also see Kimmell’s blog post on the order.