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Dear John,
In yet another landmark decision stripping American citizens of long-established rights, the radical extremist justices dominating the Supreme Court upended the ability of federal agencies to establish regulations to enforce protections required by laws passed by Congress.
Clean air? Clean water? Safe food and medications? Safe workplaces and civil rights? The far-right justices tossed four decades worth of regulations up in the air when they overturned what is known as the Chevron deference in their 2024 Loper Bright decision.
In Loper Bright, the Court overturned the 1984 case, Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council, requiring the courts to defer to the expertise of relevant agencies to determine regulations to clarify broadly worded congressional legislation.
Now in a massive judiciary power grab, the Court has broadly nullified the agencies’ authority, rejecting the detailed knowledge developed by non-partisan scientists and policy experts who have studied specific issues in great depth over many years.
Moreover, it gives corporations the ability to file suit to challenge virtually any safety or environmental regulations that have been established in the last forty years.
This undue political influence, where corporations take over the government’s decision-making structures, is known as “corporate capture,” and it is the target of a new bill sponsored by Progressive Caucus Chair Rep. Pramila Jayapal, the Stop Corporate Capture Act (SCCA).
Become a grassroots co-sponsor! Tell Congress to pass the Stop Corporate Capture Act, to restore federal agency rulemaking authority, and to ensure that rulemaking is guided by the public interest -- not just what’s good for wealthy corporations.
The scope of the Loper Bright decision calls into question literally thousands of regulations that support Americans’ quality of life in every sphere touched by congressional legislation.
In response, Rep. Jayapal’s bill codifies the Chevron deference, recognizing that judges are not policy experts and that it is entirely appropriate for knowledgeable regulatory agencies to respond effectively to protect Americans.
The Stop Corporate Capture Act will curb the influence of lobbyists and corporate interests by requiring:
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No Industry-Backed Delays: Expedites rulemaking review. Prohibits court interference with implementing public interest rules.
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Public Accountability: Enables citizens to sue corporations that violate the rules, and agencies that fail to enforce the laws. Establishes an Office of the Public Advocate.
For decades, big business has fought against basic protections of Americans’ health and safety. Loper Bright empowers corporations to tear down these protections in all areas of American life.
Go on record today as a grassroots co-sponsor and build support to pass the Stop Corporate Capture Act now.
Thank you for helping to put rulemaking back in the hands of non-partisan experts.
Robert Reich
Inequality Media Civic Action
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