Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) has reintroduced two bills aimed at curbing government spending and overregulation, aligning with President-elect Donald Trump's newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) advisory board. This initiative, spearheaded by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, seeks to identify and eliminate wasteful government practices.
The first piece of legislation, the ERASER Act, mandates that federal agencies eliminate three existing regulations for every new major rule implemented. Furthermore, it stipulates that the cost of the new rule cannot surpass the combined cost of the repealed regulations. The second bill, the Separation of Powers Restoration Act (SOPRA), modifies the Administrative Procedure Act by removing the principle of executive deference. This change empowers courts to evaluate legal arguments without giving preferential weight to the executive branch's interpretation.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Schmitt emphasized his commitment to reducing the size and scope of the administrative state. He views these bills as crucial steps towards transferring power from unelected bureaucrats back to the American people. The ERASER Act and SOPRA, he argues, deliver a powerful blow to bureaucratic overreach.
Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) has joined Schmitt as a co-sponsor of the ERASER Act. SOPRA has garnered support from a broader group of Republican senators, including Ted Cruz (R-TX), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Rand Paul (R-KY), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Ted Budd (R-NC), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Katie Britt (R-AL), and Bill Hagerty (R-TN).
Although these bills were initially introduced during the previous congressional session, they failed to gain traction under Democratic control of the Senate. With the Republicans now holding the majority, and with a renewed focus on government efficiency, the likelihood of these measures coming to a vote has significantly increased. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) is anticipated to schedule votes on several reintroduced GOP bills that were previously blocked.
