Report: Obama Speeds $118 Billion in Regulations to Prevent Future Repeals

President Barack Obama has sped up several new regulations in an effort to prevent a future Congress or president from repealing them, according the the watchdog group American Action Forum. 

The group said its review of the regulations show a cost to taxpayers of at least $118 billion.

"The early flurry of activity next year could be in response to fears that the Congressional Review Act (CRA) could be used to rescind some rules in 2017," Sam Batkins, AAF's director of regulatory policy, writes. "The later the administration publishes significant rulemakings in 2016, the more likely Congress and the next president will be able to repeal those rules."

The regulations include rules on tobacco products, medications, conservation standards and Arctic drilling.

The $118 billion dollar figure is based on just 38 figures that actually had monetary amounts attached and could go higher or lower, Batkins wrote.

"The administration’s time in office is coming to a close and there appears to be an effort to publish final rules during the first quarter of next year," he said. "As rulemaking timelines inch toward the end of 2016, lawmakers in the next Congress could take aim at these 'midnight' regulations."

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