Bill Would Require Cost-Benefit Analysis Studies When Directed By OMB

The Airline Pilots Association (ALPA) has sent a letter to members of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee opposing the Independent Agency Regulatory Analysis Act of 2012, which is scheduled for consideration when Congress re-convenes. The legislation is expected to be "marked up" in committee in the near future.

The bill, S.3468, would require independent agencies to conduct cost benefit analyses at the direction of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). In the letter, the union says through its Director of Government Affairs Michael Robbins that the bill "would result in the politicization of independent agencies specifically removed from the political influence of the White House."

Robbins says that the bill would weaken or circumvent provisions in Dodd-Frank "putting work by independent agencies to crack down on fuel speculators at risk."  He says that fluctuations in the price of jet fuel caused by speculators have a significant impact on airlines' bottom line. He also points out that the bill would shift power for fiscal oversight from the Legislative body to the Executive branch.

Robbins said the effect of S.3468 would have on independent regulatory agencies would be to "introduce additional delays in ... rulemakings, making it harder for them to establish common sense standards and safeguards that work for the aviation industry, pilots, and all Americans."

FMI: Read the Letter