Regulatory Reform and the U.S. Manufacturing Sector

Abstract

The Bush administration, through the Office ofManagement and Budget, Office of Information andRegulatory Affairs (OMB/OIRA), has shown renewedinterest in regulatory reform as an important publicissue, especially as it pertains to the nation’s manufacturingsector. On March 9, 2005, OMB/OIRAannounced that Federal agencies will be taking practicalsteps of an administrative nature to reduce the costburden on manufacturing firms operating in the UnitedStates by acting on 76 suggested reforms of federal regulationssuggested by the public. Recommended actionsrange from gathering and reporting additional informationto issuing modernized regulations, with reformsto be implemented through rulemaking procedures thatinclude an opportunity for public participation.