PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jul 29, 2009
Congressional Responsibility and Accountability Act - Amends the Administrative Procedure Act to: (1) require each agency, before adopting a rule, to determine whether compliance with the rule will result in a specified economic impact; and (2) prohibit an agency from enforcing a rule it determines will result in such impact until its requirements are enacted into law.
Requires each agency: (1) annually, to determine whether its rules have resulted in a specified economic impact in the preceding year; and (2) not later than 365 days after making such determination, to no longer enforce such a rule until its requirements are enacted into law.
Defines "specified economic impact" as: (1) costs to any individual of $5,000 or more in a year; (2) costs to any partnership, corporation, association, or public or private organization of $10,000 or more in a year; (3) costs to all persons (not including the federal government or a state government) in the aggregate of $25,000 or more in a year; or (4) the loss by one or more U.S. citizens of existing employment in a year.
People & committees
Rep. Paul, Ron [R-TX-14] · R–TX
Legislative record
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Referred to the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law.
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E2080)
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 14, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.3396 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine H.R.3396 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine H.R.3396 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
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