1. United States
2. Mo.
3. Letter

I’m writing to you as a constituent regarding recent reporting on the administration’s deregulation efforts and the broader changes to how federal rules are created and repealed. According to a recent Government Executive report, experts across the political spectrum agree that the administration has overstated its deregulation numbers by selectively counting what qualifies as a regulation versus a deregulation action. At the same time, the administration has implemented major procedural changes that are far more significant than the headline numbers suggest. These changes include requiring agencies to eliminate multiple existing rules for every new one, increasing White House control over independent agencies, and expanding the use of “good cause” exceptions to bypass public comment requirements. Regardless of political affiliation, this raises serious concerns about transparency, accountability, and the proper role of expert agencies. Slowing rulemaking may reduce regulatory burden, but bypassing public input and centralizing decision making weakens the checks and balances that are supposed to protect the public. This is not just about the number of regulations. It is about how decisions are being made, who is making them, and whether the public still has a meaningful voice in that process. As your constituent, I want clear answers. Do you support the expanded use of “good cause” exceptions to bypass public comment? Do you believe independent agencies should be subject to increased White House control? What steps are you taking to ensure transparency and accountability in the rulemaking process? You were elected to represent your constituents, not to defer blindly to any administration, Republican or Democrat. Oversight is your responsibility. I expect a clear position and a response.