Demos Block Bill Hobbling Regulations

Determined Senate Democrats won the upper hand in Congress’ government reform efforts Tuesday, forcing Republicans to shelve a bill that would have given businesses a chance to rewrite many of the nation’s health, safety and environmental regulations.

Republicans said the bill, sponsored by Sen. Bob Dole of Kansas, would restore common sense to rule-making.

Democrats, however, said Dole’s bill would give big businesses the power to tie federal agencies in knots and result in dirtier water, dingier air and more-dangerous workplaces.

After failing to pass their own version of the bill, and defeating Dole’s attempt to limit debate on the Republican bill, Senate Democrats got their way late Tuesday.

Dole agreed to set aside his bill while Democrats draw up a list of the key changes they want.

Democrats will seek to limit businesses’ and landowners’ power to freeze regulations by challenging them in court, and to narrow businesses’ ability to strike down rules if they can show they are not cost-effective.