Senators Unveil Reg Reform

Senate Governmental Affairs Chairman Fred Thompson, R-Tenn., and Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., today unveiled a substitute to their regulatory reform proposal, including changes designed to entice moderate Democrats into the fold.

The changes, which in large measure are a response to concerns on the part of environmentalists and labor unions, address the bill's "super mandate." By adding a clause that makes it clear the bill would not supersede current requirements for rulemaking or opportunity for judicial review applicable under federal law, Thompson and Levin say they hope to alleviate those concerns.

Paul Noe, Thompson's lead staffer on the issue, said the Clinton administration has not yet made a formal endorsement of the bill, but "we have had very good discussions with them." Noe added, "The reason we did all this work was to take into account their concerns."

The bill's prospects in the Senate remain unclear: Regulatory reform has not made it onto the short list of Senate Majority Leader Lott, R-Miss., of things to do by April.