…And Are Now Awkwardly Silent On Outgoing Trump Efforts 

WASHINGTON, D.C. As the outgoing Trump administration reportedly prepares a flurry of “midnight” rulemaking – new federal rules and regulations issued by a lame luck administration – government watchdog Accountable.US called on Republican Senators to follow their own precedent on the matter. In December 2016, a group of 23 GOP Senators – including 19 who are still serving – sent a letter to President Barak Obama insisting that “[G]iven the [November 8, 2016] election results […] we respectfully request you honor the will of the American people and refrain from working on or issuing any new, non-emergency regulations while carrying out your remaining term in office.”  

In addition, Accountable.US found that during the last legislative session of President Obama’s term, Republicans introduced versions of the “Midnight Rule Relief Act” four separate times that would have allowed “Congress to disapprove multiple regulations adopted in the final year of a Presidential administration with a single vote.” 

“If these Republican senators truly respected the will of the American people, they would oppose outgoing President Trump’s incoming regulatory assault on workers’ rights and safety,” said Kyle Herrig, president of Accountable.US. “If senators felt strongly that a popular two-term president shouldn’t make new rules in his final weeks, their views should be even sharper for a president fired resoundingly by the American people that is trying to leave an even bigger mess behind for his successor.”  

Last week, Accountable.US announced the formation of a Senate War Room to hold lawmakers accountable for standing in the way of a smooth transition of power and the swift approval of nominees to staff the new administration. Additionally, the project will seek to limit the corrosive influence of special interests on the Senate as the new president seeks to address the public health and economic crisis left behind by the current president.    

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