Washington, D.C. – Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) today introduced the Safeguarding U.S. Rulemaking Act, legislation to prohibit foreign adversaries—including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea—from submitting public comments or petitioning federal agencies during the U.S. rulemaking process, closing a loophole that has allowed hostile governments to manipulate American regulations.
“The rulemaking process exists to give Americans a voice in their government, not to let foreign adversaries rig the system in their favor,” said Senator Cynthia Lummis. “China has submitted comments pushing for stricter power plant rules to hobble American energy, while doing the exact opposite at home to power their own economy. My bill ensures our regulatory process serves the American people, not communist regimes trying to keep Biden-era regulations in place to undermine our energy independence and economic strength.”
“For too long, hostile governments like Communist China have legally inserted themselves into America’s regulatory process,” said Representative Barry Moore. “This is not a hypothetical – Beijing has already been caught trying to shape our rules. If China wants to influence regulations, they can do it in their own country. Federal rulemaking should reflect the voices of the American people, not the agendas of adversaries working against our national interests. This bill puts an immediate stop to foreign adversary interference and strengthens the integrity of U.S. policymaking.”
Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Chuck Grassley (R-IA) have cosponsored this legislation.
Background:
- A recent Daily Caller article highlighted how China purportedly sought to shape American energy policy by submitting public comments advocating for more extreme Obama and Biden-era rules on power plants.
- Currently, the Administrative Procedure Act allows any interested party—including foreign governments—to submit public comments on proposed U.S. regulations. The Lummis bill prohibits foreign adversaries, as designated by the Secretary of Commerce, along with their nationals and incorporated entities, from participating in the federal rulemaking process or petitioning federal agencies. The foreign adversary designation currently includes China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, and the Maduro regime in Venezuela. By closing this loophole, the legislation ensures that America’s regulatory process serves U.S. citizens and domestic interests rather than allowing hostile foreign governments to influence rules governing American businesses, energy production, and economic competitiveness.
- Here are a few examples of CCP affiliate comments on recent EPA proposed rulemakings.
- Example #1
- Example #2
- Example #3
Read full bill text here.
###