Executive Order Gives President Power Over Rulemaking

On January 18 President Bush signed Executive Order 13422 which gives the White House more control over federal agencies and the rules and regulations they issue. Each agency will be required to have a regulatory policy office run by a political appointee of the White House. This office will oversee the development of rules that apply to regulated industries. While the White House and business groups are touting this order as "good government," consumer and other groups are protesting that this order gives too much power to the White House and will block agencies from rulemaking efforts that protect the public. Read an article from the New York Times about this executive order here.