H.R. 7923 — Introduced in House

I 116th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7923 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES August 4, 2020Mr. Comer (for himself, Mr. Higgins of Louisiana, Mr. Armstrong, Mr. Cloud, Ms. Foxx of North Carolina, Mr. Norman, Mr. Green of Tennessee, and Mr. Keller) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform A BILL To authorize the President to suspend or waive civil enforcement of any rule for certain purposes during the coronavirus pandemic, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Pandemic Recovery Enforcement Flexibility Act of 2020. 2. Presidential waiver (a) In general During the covered period, the President may order the suspension or waiver of civil enforcement of any rule for any of the following reasons related to the response to the coronavirus pandemic or strengthening recovery from the pandemic: (1) Enforcement of the rule would unreasonably inhibit or impede efforts to respond to SARS–CoV–2. (2) Enforcement of the rule would unreasonably inhibit or impede health or economic recovery by— (A) persons infected by SARS–CoV–2; (B) individuals or entities that supported or support persons infected by SARS–CoV–2; or (C) entities that qualify as small entities within the meaning of section 601(6) of title 5, United States Code, and the employees, contractors, or investors of those small entities. (3) Enforcement of the rule would otherwise unreasonably inhibit or impede health, economic performance, or the stability of wages or employment during the covered period, including by inhibiting or impeding— (A) access to health care or health care equipment or supplies; (B) access to employment; (C) access to public or private assistance; (D) consumer or business spending, investment, or access to capital or credit; or (E) other consumer or business activity, including hiring and education or retraining. (b) Definitions In this section: (1) Coronavirus pandemic The term coronavirus pandemic means the SARS–CoV–2 pandemic of 2019–2020. (2) Covered period The term covered period means the period that— (A) begins on the date of the enactment of this section; and (B) ends on the date that is 1 year after the date on which the public health emergency declared under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d) as a result of the coronavirus pandemic expires, or any renewal thereof. (3) Rule The term rule has the meaning given that term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code. (c) Rule of construction Nothing in this section may be construed to mean that the President lacks any other authority to suspend or waive enforcement of any rule.