WASHINGTON—The Natural Resources Defense Council, Public Citizen and the Communications Workers of America have filed suit against the Trump administration to block the president’s executive order requiring government agencies to cut two existing regulations for every new rule put forth.
Trump signed the order late last month. It prepares a process for the White House to set an annual cap on the cost of new regulations, which, for the rest of fiscal 2017, would be $0. The order does make exceptions for emergencies and national security. Guidance from the White House on the administration’s two-for-one order on regulations clarifies that the order applies only to “significant” regulations.
This executive order does not directly apply to the NCUA or CFPB since they are independent agencies, but they could opt to comply. NCUA has stated, however, that it intends to abide by the spirit if the rule.
In the complaint, the groups argue that Trump’s executive order is unconstitutional. They say this executive order makes it harder to protect the public, that it is one-sided for only considering costs of regulations and not the benefits, and that it is unnecessary as Congress and government agencies have the authority to rescind rules at any time, stated NAFCU in its analysis.
The suit asks the court to hold the executive order unconstitutional and unlawful and to enjoin its implementation. The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.