May 2024

The Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration has approved a new graduate certificate exploring regulatory theory, policy, and practice. Coursework examines the process by which regulations are developed and provides analytical tools necessary for understanding the likely effects of alternative regulatory approaches.

This certificate is especially appropriate for those who are interested in formulating or influencing regulatory policy as policy analysts in the executive or legislative branch at any level of government or involved in regulatory matters in the non-profit or private sectors. Some students in the program seek to expand their knowledge without wishing to commit to a master’s degree program. Others can use it as a springboard for other degree programs, especially the Master of Public Administration or Master of Public Policy programs.

The new program is expected to be offered beginning in the 2024-25 academic year.

On GW Giving Day, April 4, GW Professor Emeritus Howard Beales and GW alum Char Beales, BA '73, made history with a generous gift of $600,000—the largest ever for a GW Giving Day campaign. The Beales Regulatory Studies Center Research Fund will support senior fellows in the Regulatory Studies Center to continue RSC founder Susan Dudley’s legacy of conducting applied research on regulation impacts.

The Center thanks the Beales family for this generous contribution that will advance our mission of improving regulatory policy through research, education, and outreach.

Regulation By Enforcement Series: Blockchain and Crypto

12pm to 6:30pm
Wednesday, June 5, 2024

Join the Regulatory Studies Center at the GW Law School for a learning lunch and high-level forum on the challenges of regulation-by-enforcement as applied to cryptocurrency markets. Panel discussions will explore the potential for legislation and rulemaking on these technologies. The event will feature a keynote address by SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce, followed by a networking reception. 

May 10, 2024
Commentary by Zoey Xie

In April 2024, federal agencies broke records by issuing an unprecedented number of significant final rules. The surge of rules is related to the expectation that rules finalized later in the year may be at risk of being overturned through the Congressional Review Act.

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May 7, 2024
Forbes column by Susan Dudley

Presidential administrations have historically rushed to issue regulations in their final few months in office, but with nine months still left in this presidential term, that rush to the finish line is already evident. April was the busiest month on record for big ticket rules.

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May 3, 2024
Commentary by Steve Balla and Sarah Hay

The 115th Congress used the Congressional Review Act (CRA) an historic 16 times at the beginning of the Trump administration in 2017. We take a look at the regulations targeted by that Congress to get a sense of the policy areas most likely to be challenged if former President Trump wins reelection this fall.

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April 26, 2024
Commentary by Mark Febrizio

President Biden’s Executive Order 14117 is an ambitious attempt to mitigate the exploitation of sensitive U.S. data. While the order’s implementation faces uncertainty in an election year, its approach is more tailored to producing meaningful protections on data security than the recent legislation banning TikTok.

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April 22, 2024
Public comment by Roger Nober

Granting the CARB petition would effectively delegate the core responsibility of regulating interstate commerce to one state. It would effectively allow California to regulate locomotive emission standards and operations nationally. 

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April 19, 2024
Public comment by Mark Febrizio

President Biden’s EO 14117 directs DOJ to issue implementing regulations that prohibit or restrict U.S. persons from engaging in transactions that may facilitate countries of concern accessing bulk sensitive personal data or U.S. government related data. 

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April 17, 2024
Commentary by Stone Washington

For certain agencies, administrative law judges may serve to advantage their regulatory interests, rather than exercise judicial discretion to render impartial legal opinions for resolving disputes.

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April 16, 2024
Public comment by Sarah Hay

For certain agencies, administrative law judges may serve to advantage their regulatory interests, rather than exercise judicial discretion to render impartial legal opinions for resolving disputes.

Read More >

On C-SPAN, Sarah Hay discussed the Congressional Review Act and how President Biden's regulatory agenda may be subject to rollback following a potential change in administration (May 13, 2024).

Sarah Hay discussed the Congressional Review Act and how President Biden's regulatory agenda may be subject to rollback following a potential change in administration on C-SPAN (May 13, 2024).

Sarah Hay was a panelist at the 2024 ABA Administrative Law Spring Conference session, The Congressional Review Act; the Law No One Knew About is Now All that Anyone Talks About (May 9, 2024).

Sarah Hay was a panelist at the 2024 ABA Administrative Law Spring Conference session, The Congressional Review Act; the Law No One Knew About is Now All that Anyone Talks About (May 9, 2024).

RSC reports and Senior Policy Analyst Mark Febrizio are cited in NextGov: House Bill Targets AI-generated Comments in Rulemaking (May 8, 2024).

Susan Dudley was interviewed on Nexstar TV: House GOP Push for Vote on Home Appliance Bill (May 7, 2024).

Steven Balla and Sarah Hay cited in Wall Street Journal: Biden Races to Trump-Proof His Agenda (May 6, 2024).

Susan Dudley quoted in The Hill: Biden Races Clock on Health Regulations With Eye on Potential Trump Return (May 5, 2024).

RSC data cited in The Economist: Why the Biden Administration is Rushing to Produce Regulations (May 2, 2024)

Sarah Hay's commentary on the Congressional Review Act cited in The American Prospect: Why Is the Biden Administration Completing So Many Regulations? (April 23, 2024).

Sarah Hay was quoted in Bloomberg Law: Labor Agencies Race Against the Clock on Rulemaking (April 22, 2024).

Sarah Hay spoke on a panel for a webinar hosted by Women in Government Relations on The Congressional Review Act and Federal Rulemaking. (April 18, 2024).

Susan Dudley moderated the panel discussion, What Now? Legal and Regulatory Options for the Future, at a symposium organized by the office of the New York State Attorney General. The Next Decade of Generative AI symposium brought together leading scholars and experts in artificial intelligence and technology policy (April 12, 2024). 

Steven Balla is quoted in Politico: April Showers May Bring May Regulations (April 1, 2024).

Listen to our podcast for insights on regulatory trends. Recent discussions have explored the Congressional Review Act, Biden's Data Security executive order, effective public engagement strategies for federal agencies, and more.