WASHINGTON – American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Donna Harman and American Wood Council (AWC) President and CEO Robert Glowinski issued the following statement in support of Senators Rob Portman and Heidi Heitkamp’s introduction of the Regulatory Accountability Act of 2017. 

Donna Harman, President and CEO, AF&PA: 

“Americans deserve regulations that do more good than harm, and the Regulatory Accountability Act would make that common sense standard the law. They also deserve transparency when it comes to the costs, benefits and other supporting data behind the most expensive and complex regulatory proposals. The bill provides that welcome clarity and the opportunity for public input. We appreciate this focus by Senators Portman and Heitkamp and urge quick passage of legislation that takes effective steps to provide accountability in the regulatory process, including a judicially-enforceable cost-benefit test. ”  

Robert Glowinski, President and CEO, AWC: 

“The public has a right to know the costs and benefits of regulations and the quality of scientific and economic analysis used to support them. Congress should hold all regulatory agencies accountable by law to ensure smarter regulation, and this bill will help do that. Sensible regulations can provide important public benefits, but poorly designed regulations can undermine sustainable development and erode the public’s confidence in our government. AWC thanks Senators Portman and Heitkamp for their leadership on regulatory reform and urgesquick action on the bill.”