Press Releases

Today, the House Judiciary Committee voted to advance the Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2025, sponsored by Rep. Ben Cline (VA-06), to the House Floor. The bill would increase transparency, accountability, and public input in federal agency consent decrees and settlement agreements.

“The American people should never be shut out of decisions that reshape federal policy,” said Rep. Ben Cline. “Today’s passage of the Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act out of the House Judiciary Committee is a critical step toward ending the backroom arrangements that have too often allowed activist lawsuits to drive sweeping regulatory changes without transparency or accountability. This legislation ensures these agreements are opened to public notice, comment, and meaningful judicial review, giving taxpayers, workers, and small businesses the opportunity to be heard.”

BACKGROUND:

Currently, activist groups leverage behind-closed-doors lawsuits to pressure agencies into sweeping regulatory changes without meaningful input from the public, job creators, or affected industries, effectively sidestepping the traditional rulemaking process. Rep. Cline’s bill restores accountability by requiring public notice and comment, strengthened judicial review, agency head certification of settlements, and detailed reporting to Congress to ensure these agreements serve the public interest.

Congressman Ben Cline represents the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia. He previously was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and a Member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two children.