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GOPer decries 'regulation without representation'

Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) used his first speech from the Senate floor to press for legislation that would create a panel to review federal rules, calling for an end to "regulation without representation." 

"Our great nation has been bogged down in recent years with what I believe is one of the greatest hindrances to job growth and economic productivity, and that is the overregulation of our citizens," he said Tuesday. 

Rounds introduced the Regulation Sensibility Through Oversight Restoration Resolution, which would create a joint select committee to review new rules, as well as hold hearings on the impact of those already in place and make recommendations on reducing regulatory overreach. 
 
He added that his legislation would "take a giant leap forward in restoring the people's role in the rule-making process." 
 
"Unfortunately, the voice of the people in the rule-making process has been cut out and replaced by unelected government bureaucrats who think they know better than the farmer or the scientist or the entrepreneur," he said. 
 
Rounds was originally supposed to give his first speech on the Senate floor last month but was prevented from doing that by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who is running for president. The Kentucky Republican spoke on the Senate floor for more than 10 hours, in what he said was a filibuster of a Patriot Act extension.
 
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) congratulated Rounds on his speech Tuesday, saying he focused on "what I think is the single biggest problem confronting our country, creating the slow growth rate that we've had throughout the Obama presidency." 
 
He added that he believes the South Dakota Republican's legislation is a "good solution" to dealing with overregulation. 
 
"I hope lots of colleagues on both sides of the aisle will rally around this excellent proposal as a good way forward to deal with the single biggest domestic problem we have regarding the future growth of our country," McConnell said.