In the closing weeks of the Obama administration, federal agencies have issued a tidal wave of new regulatory actions. The
motivation behind the regulation sprint may be partially to cement President
Barack Obama’s legacy before he leaves office. It may also in part be to attempt to “Trump-proof” Washington before the
Democrats must turn over the White House and both houses of Congress to Republican control.
The Wall Street Journal speculates the
Obama team may also be attempting to pass so many new regulations it would be impossible to repeal them all prior to the 2018
mid-term elections.
Midnight Rule Relief Act
Republicans seem wise to the tactic, however. Earlier this month, House Republicans passed what they are calling the “Midnight
Rule Relief Act.” The bill would give Congress the ability to overturn any laws and regulations finalized within the last 60 days
of Obama’s term in office with a single vote rather than addressing them one at a time.
Many companies will be looking to President-elect Donald Trump for
relief from these so-called “midnight rules” and last-minute actions by Obama-era federal agencies.
The Busy FCC
Federal Communications Commission has been particularly busy. Last month, the FCC sent letters to Verizon Communications Inc.
(NYSE: VZ) and AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) warning them about violating net neutrality rules.
Earlier this month, the FCC concluded an investigation into
Straight Path Communications Inc (NYSE: STRP)
by issuing a $15 million fine and giving the company one year to sell its spectrum or face $85 million in additional licensing
fees.
FTC
This week, the FTC targeted QUALCOMM, Inc. (NASDAQ: QCOM) for an alleged
monopoly on key cell phone chips.
The FTC also closed an antitrust action against Mallinckrodt PLC (NYSE: MNK) this week by issuing a
$100 million fine related to unfair drug pricing.
The SEC And Labor Department
The SEC concluded
an investigation into General Motors Company (NYSE: GM) this week as well by issuing a relatively modest $1 million fine related to GM’s
disclosure of ignition switch issues that ultimately resulted in 124 deaths.
The Department of Labor also filed suits
this week against Oracle Corporation (NYSE: ORCL) for alleged racial discrimination and JPMorgan Chase & Co
(NYSE: JPM) for alleged gender discrimination in pay
practices.
Incoming Trump
At the very least, Donald Trump has pledged to free U.S. corporations of the burden of government over-regulation. However, it
remains to be seen just how aggressive the Trump administration will be in undoing many of the Obama administrations last-minute
actions.
Image Credit: "Construction on the inaugural platform 2NOV2016" - By Joint
Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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