President Biden’s administration has made history by setting a new record for the number of pages of regulations filed in the Federal Register, surpassing even former President Barack Obama’s previous record. As of December 3rd, the administration filled a staggering 96,088 pages in the Federal Register, putting them on track to exceed 100,000 pages by the end of their term. This milestone highlights the expanding scope of federal intervention and the scale of the regulatory state under the Biden administration.
### Impact of Federal Register Regulations
The Federal Register, overseen by the Office of the Federal Register and published by the National Archives and Records Administration, serves as a daily publication of new and amended federal regulations. While the page count in the Federal Register is not a perfect measure of regulatory burden, the record-setting number of pages in 2024 underscores the significant regulatory activity by the Biden administration.
### Comparison with Previous Administrations
During the final year of President Trump’s first term, the Federal Register saw a high number of pages filled, but this was influenced by efforts to eliminate existing rules and implement emergency COVID-19 measures. In contrast, Trump’s first year in office saw fewer pages added to the Federal Register, reflecting a focus on deregulation. Trump’s Executive Order 13771 initiated a rulemaking process that required removing two regulations for every new one added, resulting in net cost savings throughout his first term.
### Future Outlook and Response
President Trump has indicated plans to further expand deregulation efforts in his second term, pledging to erase 10 regulations for every new one introduced. Industry leaders and experts anticipate relief and a more favorable regulatory environment under the incoming Trump administration. Machalagh Carr from the Center for Legal Action at the American Free Enterprise Chamber of Commerce expressed optimism about the potential changes, emphasizing the importance of supporting American free enterprise and reducing burdensome regulations.
While representatives for both Biden and Trump were contacted for their comments, no response was received in time for publication. The ongoing regulatory developments and contrasting approaches to federal regulations between administrations underscore the dynamic nature of policymaking and its impact on various sectors.
