Smith is one to watch in Washington

Government has an insatiable appetite for new regulations. While it's important for the legislative body to consider new measures, it's clear there are laws on the books that are outdated.

U.S. Rep. Jason Smith (R-Mo.) introduced legislation in the House that was passed 245-174 that would look at these laws and help "scrub" them as deemed necessary.

The SCRUB Act is an acronym for Searching for and Cutting Regulations that are Unnecessarily Burdensome.

The basis of the bill is the establishment of a nine-member bipartisan commission that would identify regulations to be repealed. The goal is a 15 percent reduction, which Smith believes would save taxpayers money and remove unnecessary requirements imposed on small businesses, farmers and families. After laws are identified, the commission who recommend what laws to end and Congress would need to pass a joint resolution to end them.

The bill is now with the Senate.

Smith said conflicting or outdated regulations cost the country an estimated $1.86 trillion annually. As Smith told the Southeast Missourian, the Environmental Protection Agency "doesn't need to regulate every drainage ditch, farm, wood stove or even the beautiful clean air of the Mark Twain National Forest." We agree and appreciate Smith's work to bring this bill forward.

This bill is a good step toward limited government.

Smith also has a new chief of staff in former Cape Girardeau attorney Eric Bohl who previously worked for Congresswoman Hartzler (another Missouri publication.) in Washington, D.C. Bohl will be based in the district.

Rep. Smith serves on the important Ways and Means Committee, and he was elected by his colleagues late last year to the House Steering Committee, which is quite an accomplishment. The SCRUB Act was one of the first bills to pass the House this session of Congress, which is also notable. Smith is fast becoming key member to watch in the House of Representatives, and so far his work has well represented the area.