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Federal Agencies Push for Last-Minute 'Midnight' Regulations

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President Barack Obama is in the last weeks of his presidency and federal agencies are pushing for a laundry list of executive orders to pass before he leaves office.

While President-elect Donald Trump will revoke most of Obama's 'midnight' executive orders, that is not stopping federal agencies from pushing for some 98 final regulations on everything from jobs to the environment. 

"As I've mentioned to you before, we're running — not walking — through the finish line of President Obama's presidency," Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy wrote agency employees the day after the Nov. 8 election. "Thank you for taking that run with me. I'm looking forward to all the progress that still lies ahead."

According to Politico, 17 of the 98 regulations could have an estimated annual economic impact of $100 million or more. 

Trump has already promised to wipe out any and "all illegal and overreaching executive orders" and eliminate "every wasteful and unnecessary regulation which kills jobs" once he is in office. 

Meanwhile, Republicans are warning agency heads not to finalize these regulations before Trump is sworn in, threatening the agencies with the Congressional Review Act. This law allows lawmakers and the president to stop any regulations they oppose. 

"Should you ignore this counsel, please be aware that we will work with our colleagues to ensure that Congress scrutinizes your actions – and, if appropriate, overturns them," House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., wrote in a letter last week

While many Democrats are working hard to establish Obama's legacy after he leaves office, many Republicans are also working to unravel it come January. 
 

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