AP: Congress has fast-track power to kill Bush rules

Congress has fast-track power to kill Bush rules
Under fast-track authority, Congress could
repeal rules dating back to May

updated 59 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - President-elect Barack Obama will have
limited authority to overturn federal regulations
approved in the waning months of the Bush administration.
But a little-used power offers the new Democratic Congress
an early test of how aggressively lawmakers might unravel
such rules pushed through by Republicans.

Under a special fast-track authority, Congress could repeal
current rules from as far back as May. Many are related to
the environment and health. Aside from congressional action,
such changes involve a laborious rule-making process that
can take years.

The Congressional Review Act of 1996, used just once in the
past 12 years, could become a sweeping tool for Democrats
against late regulations from the Bush presidency.
Environmental activists are compiling lists of regulations
they believe Congress should target, including ones covering
water pollution at huge farms, pollution control equipment
at older power plants and hazardous waste restrictions.

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