Green Bay Reporter

Representative Mike Gallagher has introduced the "2 for 1 Act," a bill that seeks to mandate the removal of two regulations for every new one implemented. The primary aim of this act is to alleviate the regulatory burden on small businesses and farmers. Gallagher underscored the regulatory costs, which have surpassed $437 billion during the Biden administration due to the implementation of over 764 new regulations.

According to a press release from his office, Gallagher said: "The Biden administration rules by regulation and finds new ways each day to make life harder for American farmers and small businesses. Restoring the Trump administration’s common-sense principle of repealing two regulations for every new regulation created is a simple way to rein in the regulatory state, cut red tape, and make it easier for Americans to earn a living."

The same press release clarified that if approved, this law would specifically require the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to assess the "regulatory cost" of proposed new rules. This assessment would provide insight into their potential impact on private industry expenses. Moreover, it stipulates that any increase in regulatory cost resulting from a new rule must be offset by reducing regulatory costs through revoking two existing rules. Notably, agency heads will be required to identify at least two existing regulations for revocation each time they propose a new rule.

The American Action Forum has noted additional regulatory impacts under the Biden administration amounting to $219 billion in EV mandates, $117 million from new Department of Labor ESG policies, $566 million from extensive reporting requirements affecting community banks and credit unions aiding small business owners. Revised Waters of the United States (WOTUS) definitions also pose regulatory hurdles for small business owners, farmers, ranchers, and manufacturers.

According to his official website, Representative Mike Gallagher has served Wisconsin’s 8th District in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2017. A native of Green Bay where he currently resides with his wife Anne and their daughters, Gallagher's background includes seven years in the United States Marine Corps, with deployments to Iraq. He has also worked on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and gained experience in the private sector at an energy and supply chain management company in Green Bay.