Democrats Say Oversight Is Overdue

The rulemaking agenda in Washington is about to change. Business, labor and public interest groups agree that the incoming Democratic House and Senate will conduct robust oversight of federal agencies and their regulatory output and policies.

"I feel like Moses coming out of the desert after 40 years," said Rep. James Oberstar, a Minnesota Democrat who is in line to head the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Business lobbyists have been powerful players with the Congress and the White House under Republican control the past six years. The emphasis was on minimal regulation, easy access to federal rulemakers, many of whom came from industry, and almost no congressional oversight.

There were occasional bursts of activity after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the collapse of Enron Corp . and coal mine disasters. But for the most part, business interests were able to constrain new rules or put their imprint upon them. And many workplace-safety rules proposed by the Clinton administration were shelved.

"I can't be happier," said Gary Bass, executive director of OMB Watch, a nonprofit group in Washington that monitors regulatory policy. "The public wins. Some of these political appointees are going to have to learn what oversight is."

Business groups are wary of the shift. Still, trade associations pledged to work with new members. "Just because they are Democrats doesn't mean they aren't with us," said Randel Johnson, vice president of labor, immigration and employee benefits for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Some of the new masters of oversight are eager to get to work. Oberstar's agenda includes tightening port security and improving the operations of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, much maligned for its Hurricane Katrina performance.

Rep. John D. Dingell, a Michigan Democrat, is set to return as chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over consumer protection, telecommunications, air quality, energy, and food and drug safety.

Dingell has a reputation for relentless investigation, and his "Dingellgrams" -- requests for exhaustive paperwork from federal agencies and witnesses -- are remembered and feared in Washington.

"When you are battered up there, it does affect your direction," recalled James Tozzi, who made frequent appearances before Dingell when he was in leadership positions at the Office of Management and Budget's regulatory-review office. "It was an unpleasant but fair exercise."

One notable change in direction is expected from Rep. George Miller, a California Democrat and the incoming head of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, where he has been the ranking minority member for six years.

"It's been clear there has been no oversight; not even mildly aggressive oversight," said Miller, whose panel oversees regulatory policy at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Mine Safety and Health Administration.