Recent Victories for Greater Growth

We can look forward to many opportunities to boost our economy through pro-growth policies and regulatory relief under a unified Republican government. Still, as this year draws to a close, a number of important victories are helping to set the stage for greater growth.

On the day before Thanksgiving, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its finalized requirements for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), which meet the levels set by Congress. Over the past few years, the EPA has proposed lower volume requirements for biofuels despite record harvests showing supply is not a problem.

To achieve American energy independence, we must utilize every available energy source. Ethanol and other biofuels provide more options for consumers and help lower prices at the fuel pump. It is encouraging to see the EPA following Congress’s lead and opening the doors to higher biofuel production.

President-elect Donald Trump has expressed his support for the RFS, so more opportunities to grow our domestic energy production are likely to come. Under the Trump administration, I am hopeful we will also see movement on my bill to expand the existing waiver of EPA regulations related to the Reid vapor pressure of motor vehicle fuel to include E15.

Though E10 received this waiver decades ago, the same relief has not yet been extended to E15. These regulations prevent many retailers from selling E15 during the summer months when fuel demand is highest. Considering E15 is cheaper and less volatile than E10, there is no reason not to make it available to more retailers and consumers.

Arbitrary regulations have also caused hardships for rural health providers. At the end of November, the House passed the 21st Century Cures Act, which included my provision requiring the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) to report on the economic and staffing impacts of physician supervision requirements on Critical Access Hospitals.

Rural providers know best which procedures can be safely performed in their facilities, but the heavy hand of the federal government makes it more difficult for these professionals to serve their patients. Based on discussions I have had with hospitals across Nebraska’s Third District, I expect MedPAC’s findings will make a strong case for repealing the physician supervision rules outright and ensuring quality care remains accessible to rural Americans.

In November, the Obama administration’s regulatory agenda suffered a major setback when a Texas judge issued a preliminary injunction against the Department of Labor’s overtime rule, originally scheduled to take effect December 1. This onerous red tape raises the threshold under which salaried employees qualify for overtime pay from $23,660 to $47,476 per year and sets it to increase every three years. I continue to oppose this executive overreach and have cosponsored legislation to overturn the rule.

Many Nebraskans, both employers and employees, have expressed deep concern to me about potential cuts to hours and wages resulting from these regulations. Employers are understandably confused about how to implement the new requirements and ensure compliance. With the Texas court’s ruling, the rule is on hold and can be modified or blocked by the Trump administration.

As we prepare for the new administration, we should not lose sight of the groundwork being laid now to help build a stronger economy and more opportunity for all.