A Proposed U.S. Constitutional Amendment: The Reformation of Federal Regulatory Agencies

Abstract

This proposed amendment aims to place a Constitutional boundary between Congress; halt the expansion of the executive branch, its cabinet, and their subagencies; initiate priority to the public, uphold the rights of the individual, and protect national economic security. A Constitutional amendment will propound civil security against groundless Congressional intervention, simultaneously preventing unwarranted Executive decisions. Three specific prerequisites remain to successfully facilitate civic dominion back to the people. First, an audit of annual appropriations must occur with strict scrutiny. Federal agencies have historically been over-appropriated beyond necessity, which has led to unmerited bureaucratic endeavors. This proposal demands consideration of the immediate needs of America’s present, dismissing the eternal needs of an interminably indiscernible future. Strict statutes will avert the unbridled lavish appropriations witnessed in America’s modern House Appropriations bills, year after year. Second, permanent statutes, rather than provisions, will be enacted on each agency; Federal agencies will no longer be granted extravagant welfare, obviating exorbitant spending. A statute of limitations must be placed on the maximum length of research allotted to each agency, discouraging equal focus on experimental alternative solutions. Finally, each regulatory agency must be subjected to a rigorous system of checks and balances, emboldened with distinct responsibility to enact oversight over adjacent federal agencies, and their subagencies. The ratification of a Constitutional amendment will rein in the outlandish interests of those both elected and appointed through the Executive Branch, putting policy back in the hands of the people, united.

Problem Articulation Statement

When our nation was formed, the Founders ensured a careful separation of powers and a system of checks and balances; according to the Department of Interior (DOI), “[i]n 1789, Congress created three Executive Departments: Foreign Affairs (later in the same year renamed State), Treasury, and War.” Today, this has expanded to over 434 federal agencies.

 This brief will investigate the policy deficits that exist in the U.S. federal budget, tracing how its appropriations are allocated. This includes placing strict statutes on Congressional spending, limits on borrowing, and the reallocation of fiscal resources; America must utilize its current funding to focus on the revision of schools, hospitals, prisons, and other domestic national infrastructure. A Constitutional amendment would mandate that Congress limit the executive branch, simultaneously preventing the removal of its own statutes, should progressive politicians obtain power.

Legislative History

Congress’s failure in implementing an effective strategy to regulate Executive agencies dates to 1876 when the U.S. House of Representatives initiated the Holman Rule (House). According to the House of Congress, “Representative William S. Holman of Indiana…modified House Rule 120…[prohibiting] appropriations ‘for any expenditure not previously authorized by law;’” the U.S. federal budget has since remained inconsistent with the needs of the people.

1970s-1980s – On August 1^st, 1987, the Foundation for Economic Education’s (Est. 1946), Hans F. Sennholz, wrote that “[t]he movement calling for a balanced budget amendment came to life in the early 1970s when it became apparent that the federal government was facing seemingly endless deficits.” (FEE, 1987).

On February 17^th, 1981, former President Ronald Reagan signed Executive Order 12291, which sought to regulate the federal budget; this did not include regulations related to agency organizations, its management, personnel, the military, or foreign affairs (Archives). Since the Reagan administration, these areas have seen great financial exploitation to a degree that requires immediate public attention and legislative intervention to correct this imbalance.

1990s – On September 11^th, 1993, former President Bill Clinton initiated Executive Order 12862, vowing to “put the people first,” (Archives, 1993). In this Order, Clinton promised Americans that, “the Federal Government must be customer-driven.” To define this, E.O. 12862 added that “‘customer’ shall mean an individual or entity who is directly served by a department or agency.” While this appeared to initiate limits on the spending produced by agencies, it instead produced a wave of bureaucratic expansion.

2010s – On April 27^th, 2011, former President Obama announced Executive Order 13571, which ensured that independent agencies would comply with standards and limits placed on the Cabinet. However, the Order had a backdoor, stating that “Nothing in the order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect…authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the head thereof” (ObamaWhiteHouse, 2011) This did nothing to physically prevent the Executive Branch from shaping its own rules as it progressed.

On June 23^rd, 2011, the House of Representatives proposed a Balanced Budget Constitutional Amendment “as part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years after the date of its submission,” (GovInfo, 2011).

On January 2^nd, 2019, Democratic incumbent Representative Jamie Raskin boasted that the “Democrats from the National Capital Region today announced that they have secured the removal of the Holman Rule from H. Res. 6, the Rules package for the 116th Congress.” One year later, Representative Raskin wrote that “[o]ur Constitution knows how to deal with the enemies of our constitutional order” (Raskin, 2019).

2020s – On January 4^th, 2021, Ohio Representative Steve Chabot introduced H.J. Res. 3, which “Proposed a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States” (Congress), suggesting common sense concepts like “[t]otal outlays for any fiscal year shall not exceed total receipts for that fiscal year, unless three-fifths of the whole number of each House of Congress shall provide by law for a specific excess of outlays over receipts by a rollcall vote.” Despite its straightforward approach, H.J. Res. 3 did not make it past introduction to the House.

On February 16^th, 2023, Utah’s Senator Mike Lee and Iowa’s Senator Chuck Grassley introduced an amendment proposal (Lee, 2023). The brief limits total outlays to cap at 18% of U.S. gross domestic product (GDP); to increase the debt limit, a rollcall must take place, requiring two-thirds of Congress to in favor. On the subject of policy such as the Holman Rule, Senator Lee warned that “We cannot rely on self-imposed, statutory spending limits that Congress can waive with a simple majority.” Senator Lee added, to balance the federal budget, “[w]e cannot rely on self-imposed, statutory spending limits that Congress can waive with a simple majority. To restore fiscal responsibility, we must enact a permanent structural spending restraint…to eliminate deficits, reduce the national debt, reduce spending, preserve our constitutional priorities, and save our economy, it starts with the balanced budget amendment. It is the only solution that guarantees the enforcement of future reforms,” (Lee, 2023).

Policy Alternatives

Politicians and Presidents have long acknowledged this imbalance, attempting to correct it under various policies; the proposals introduced have held limited success, though their abundance displays the representation of an unfulfilled need.

H.R. 3746 – Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023. Representative Patrick McHenry initiated H.R. 3746, a budget appropriations proposal that advocates the suspension of conditional new discretionary limits. Described as “automatic spending cuts,” H.R. 3746 defunds the extreme federal spending witnessed during the novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemonium, allocating money to American veterans and food assistance programs. H.R. 3746 proposed that unobligated funds will be rescinded, including that of Public Law 116-260, which provided consolidated appropriations “for coronavirus relief and other purposes” (GovInfo).

H.R. 3746 proposed the revision of (2 U.S.C. 901(c)), which enforced federal discretionary limits, and (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq), and facilitated disaster relief to a “long-range economic recovery program for major disaster areas.” H.R. 3746 expanded work requirement exemptions for SNAP food assistance programs to include homeless individuals, veterans, and individuals 24 years and younger still in foster care; offering a clean 40-page policy without earmarks. H.R. 3746 was ratified to Public Law No: 118-5 on June 6^th, 2023.

H.R. 857 – Presidential Budget Accountability Act. On February 7^th, 2023, Georgia Representative Earl L. “Buddy” Carter’s H.R. 857 proposed the revision of (31 U.S.C. 1105) that sought to limit the President’s funding if Congressional provisions are neglected or procrastinated. The brevity of this two-page proposal offered the clarity required to ensure its purpose remained evident; yet did not address how to amend the current dysfunctional system of unaudited and misallocated appropriations.

H.R. 159 – Chance to Compete Act of 2023. On January 9^th, 2023, North Carolina Representative Virginia Foxx introduced H.R. 159, demanding more accountability from federal agencies. This means more frequent reports, more direct scrutinization of the hiring process, and basing federal credentials on merit. H.R. 159 proposes an Agency Talent Team be established, capable of supporting multiple agencies; with greater control of authoritative agencies under (2 U.S.C. 1104(a)) comes the further expansion of government surveillance.

H. R. 2577 – Article I Regulatory Budget Act. On April 15^th, 2021, Virginia Representative Bob Good’s H.R. 2577 proposed an amendment to the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, reshaping the allocations of appropriations within each federal agency; this 27-page proposal demanded revision to the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, and sought to amend (31 U.S.C. 1105(a)), currently with 39 subsections, by adding a 40^th, as (31 U.S.C. 1105(a)(40)) (GovInfo). (31 U.S.C. 1105(a)(40)) would require that federal agencies submit to an audit every half decade; promptly providing projections to their annual request for funding, along with the specified program, and documentation of any changes that may have occurred without observation.

H.R. 277 – REINS Act of 2023 (Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2023). On January 11^th, 2023, Florida Representative Kat Cammack introduced the REINS (Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny) Act of 2023, known formally as H.R. 277. This 22-page bill aims to amend (5 U.S.C. Ch. 8) and clearly establish a Congressional review of agency rulemaking, mandating federal agencies submit a cost-benefit analysis, actual data, public access, and other new criteria previously omitted from an audit. It also places limitations on Congressional action, ensuring legislation is passed, and discouraging filibusters. H.R. 277 defines the terms “federal agencies,” and “major rules.” Lastly, the legislation declares its own immunity to Judicial Review, preventing legal intervention from the federal bureaucracy.

Proposed Solutions

The time has come for reforming America’s regulatory agencies; this calls for a Constitutional amendment to be ratified; a solution requiring sanctions rather than provisions, and strict annual audits for all 434+ federal agencies (FederalRegister). By limiting international aid to foreign governments, eradicating unnecessary war-for-profit, and preventative legislation that encourages the prosperity of the individual; each citizen can be offered an equal opportunity to reveal a robust, diverse, symbiotic, and resilient collective society.

Section 1115 of Title 31 (31 USC 1115) must be addressed and reformed; its context formally establishes that the Federal Government and agency performance plans must have, “clearly defined quarterly milestones; and identify major management challenges that are Governmentwide or crosscutting in nature and describe plans to address such challenges, including relevant performance goals, performance indicators, and milestones” (USCode). This legislative ambiguity promotes experimental spending, without definitive timelines.

December 2022’s H.R. 2617 amended section 1115 of Title 31, United States Code, giving power to the appointed Secretary of each agency within the President’s Executive Branch (Senate, 2022). Although this appropriations bill sought to allocate the annual federal budget, it only greatly exasperated the national financial crisis our nation faces today.

The Department of Justice (DOJ). The Attorney General is responsible for the Department of Justice, and reporting directly to the President. This means that the President has the ability to engage in political prosecution of partisan resistance, utilizing the federal department to expand and secure a narrative within the U.S. government. The ever-expanding Department of Justice (DOJ) received an unmerited gift of “$38.7 billion overall for the Department of Justice, which is $3.5 billion above the fiscal year 2022 enacted level.” It has become apparent that the federal budget for the Department of Justice must be redirected.

The Department of Agriculture (DOA). The Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) reported in 2021 that “[o]ver 33.8 million Americans lived in households that struggled against food insecurity, or lack of access to an affordable, nutritious diet.” A 2019 report from Feeding America reveals that the national average cost per meal in America is $3.02. This means that $9.06 is the average cost of three meals per day; for $306,228,000.00 ($306.2 million) per day, or $111,773,220,000.00 ($111.8 billion) annually, food-insecurity would be eliminated in America. FRAC reports that “One in 26 (3.8 percent) of households in the U.S. experienced very low food security, a more severe form of food insecurity, where households report regularly skipping meals or reducing intake because they could not afford more food.” These funds being so greatly misappropriated gives evidence that this act is an intentional poverty monopoly that passes finances through various departments and foreign entities, expunging any paper trail to avoid proper audits of expenditures. According to FRAC, “1 in 8 (12.5 percent) households with children could not buy enough food for their families, considerably higher than the rate for households without children (9.4 percent).” Having food should be an absolute human right, within reason, and limitations should be placed to avoid abuse.

H.R. 2617’s 2023 budget provided $3.45 billion to agricultural research, $1.92 billion for farm programs, and $1.174 billion to animal and plant health, yet somehow failed to ensure Americans will be provided with the necessary nutrients and food supply required to thrive as a society. In 2021, the Children’s Defense Fund recorded 10.7 million children lived in food-insecure households, “where not everyone had enough to eat.” This statistic is unacceptable.

The Department of Commerce (DOC). Thirteen Bureaus comprise this federal department, yet the Bureau of Labor states“the number of job losers and persons who completed temporary jobs decreased by 307,000 in April to 2.6 million.” The DOC’s terminology, outlook, and priorities must be revised; as its current form vows to “promote corporate governance” and “increase compliance with…the World Trade Organization (WTO).”

The Department of Defense (DOD) .The Department of Defense (DoD) will remove its deceitful influence by removing the curated bias placed on media releases, eradicating warmongers from its department; America must remove its global military presence, bringing our servicemen and servicewomen home, focusing on national defense.

On January 6^th, 2023, the Department of Defense announced the Biden Administration’s commitment of $3.075 billion in addition to security assistance for Ukraine. That is enough to feed every hungry citizen in America for ten days. The people should be informed of their contributions to the perpetuation of America’s undeclared international wars.

The DoD boasts that “[s]ince 2014, the United States has committed more than $27 billion in security assistance to Ukraine and more than $24.2 billion since the beginning of Russia’s unprovoked and brutal invasion on February 24.”

While the DOD must accept $1.2 billion below the military personnel’s budget request, it was able toprovide a fourth Ukraine supplemental donation package of $27.9 billion to fund the continued proxy war against Russia.

The Department of Education. The U.S. Department of Education provides student loans, grants, public education, and other benefits to the future of our nation. The DoE claims that in order to meet the needs of their budget, “92 percent of the funds will come from non-Federal sources.” The Department of Education (DOE) is also responsible for the GI Bill first developed during World War II. Reducing the exhaustive spending in federal misappropriations will allow the government to enact a greater budget for veterans’ education. H.R. 2617 used “a total of $79.6 billion in discretionary appropriations for ED, an increase of $3.2 billion above the fiscal year 2022 enacted level.” While this increase is a positive attribute, it must be properly utilized. With better budgeting, America could continue to see the Department of Education receive greater funding. This does not advocate the right to a free college education but the right to an opportunity to receive one, including existing loans for those without immediate finances.

The Department of Energy (DOE). The Department of Energy has neglected its duty to provide the American people with affordable and sustainable energy. The term “sustainable” does not advocate the use of clean energy, rather an energy that can be relied upon by the population without demanding executive focus, as its current condition urges. Under this amendment, the Department of Energy will receive sanctions to act within America, providing jobs to citizens in need. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) must remain uninfluenced by Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations and interim guidance. FERC is an independent agency, and therefore must not rely on CEQ as an objective influence. The entire council was created through an executive order, not through viable representative legislation. Yet, the Biden Administration continues to release new guidance to disclose climate impacts in environmental reviews through the CEQ.

The Department of Health & Human Services. The Department of Health and Human Services should decentralize into a bottom-up approach; public health should not be federally, nor globally regulated. Federal health regulations saw egregious results during the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic; states must regulate their own positions on public health from a local level. Title 42 U.S. Code Section 300aa-22 – Standards of Responsibility states that “No vaccine manufacturer shall be liable in a civil action for damages arising from a vaccine-related injury or death associated with the administration of a vaccine after October 1, 1988, if the injury or death resulted from side effects that were unavoidable even though the vaccine was properly prepared and was accompanied by proper directions and warnings.” This erroneous legislation must be abolished as it has incentivized major pharmaceutical manufacturers to neglect the safety of their products. The Institute for Policy Studies reported headlines that read, “U.S. Billionaires Got 62 percent Richer During Pandemic. They’re Now Up $1.8 Trillion.” Federal appropriations were used to fund erroneous experimental research on children, testing coronavirus vaccines. Pfizer used 2,268 children from 5-11 years old to test SARS-CoV-2 novel concoctions on, injecting them with mRNA substances (Muhsin, 2023). It would be reported later by James O’Keefe that these vaccines themselves were derived from fetal cells, yet undisclosed to the population (Veritas, 2023). H.R., 2617’s annual appropriations bill rewarded the medical bureaucrats with a total of $3.5 billion in discretionary funding to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), reporting “an increase of $226 million above the fiscal year 2022 enacted level. Total funding for FDA, including revenue from user fees, is $6.6 billion.”

The Department of Homeland Security. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) needs provisional funding, reformation, and coordinate with the Department of State (DOS) to prevent threats to our national security interests. Title 42 currently prevents thousands of illegal immigrants from entering America ahead of those legally awaiting immigration. According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) March 2023 Monthly Operational Report, “87,662 encounters, 46% of the total, were processed for expulsion under Title 42,” while “104,238 encounters were processed under Title 8.” The report also cites an increase in drug trafficking, with Fentanyl shipments up 25%, and Cocaine increased by 128%, Heroin shipments up by 15%, and Methamphetamine trafficking saw a 22% increase. Attention must be given to our United States borders, not only for the benefit of those immigrating legally, the U.S. citizen, but the future prosperity of our nation. According to Title 8 U.S.C. Chapter 12, Section 1101(42), the term refugee includes anyone “has a well-founded fear of persecution on account of their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.” This means that, no matter the circumstance, those who claim ‘fear of persecution’ in almost any form, are welcome to bypass the U.S. legal immigration process. New York’s Governor Kathy Hochul has already declared a disaster emergency throughout the state due to the expiration of Title 42, writing, “Title 42 Order is expiring on May 11, 2023, and, upon the expiration of the Title 42 Order, it is anticipated there will be a surge of migration into the United States resulting in the imminent arrival of individuals to the City and State of New York at an increased rate of what is expected to be several thousand additional people seeking shelter each week.”

The Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD). H.R. 2617’s appropriations bill provided only $4 billion dollars to rural development. In February 2023, HUD touted that “through the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), [the HUD] announced a 30 basis point reduction to the annual mortgage insurance premiums (annual MIP) charged to homebuyers who obtain an FHA-insured mortgage.” Vice President Kamala Harris and HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge proceeded to announce their leadership could “save Homebuyers $800 annually; the U.S. government proudly declared a “first-of-its-kind national eviction prevention infrastructure,” which reappropriated some missing funds back to the public.

The Department of Interior (DOI). The focus of the Department of Interior needs to be on the preservation of America, not subject to eternal distraction by Climate Change. The federal government should maintain its commitment to Native Americans and Tribal Communities, while upholding its vows to ensure all U.S. citizens’ inherent right to avoid ecotoxicities. Their 2022 budget request for 2023’s appropriations shows that a total of, “$18.1 billion in current authority [was requested]. The total budget request is an increase of $1.9 billion.” According to its final and most recent version, “§ 1502.8” describes “Writing,” stating that “Agencies shall write environmental impact statements in plain language and may use appropriate graphics so that decision makers and the public can readily understand such statements.” NEPA’s primary functions include making decisions on permit applications, constructing highways, and public facilities, it also includes “ensuring that federal agencies meet their obligations” and “issuing regulations and other guidance.” As stated in the Federal Register, “NEPA requires Federal agencies to interpret and administer Federal policies, regulations, and laws…and to give appropriate consideration to environmental values in their decision making.”

NEPA must place statutes of limitations on preliminary research into Climate Change and other endless agency conquests. This will ensure that the budget is appropriated to the needs of the current generation, reducing environmentally-induced health problems nationwide. President Biden’s Executive Order 14008 “Tackling Climate Change at Home and Abroad,” and Executive Order 13990 “Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis,” are examples of unnecessary legislation which provide virtually unlimited funding from the federal budget to tackle potential problems seen in decades in advance. The EPA must request more frequent Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), and mandate timelines for projects. Statutes must be imposed to limit “reasonable foreseeable impacts” and institute statutes on environmental studies to two-year maximums. NEPA does not require that environmental agencies study alternatives, therefore indefinite studies, and those exceeding 1-2 years should be eliminated, focusing on our modern generation.

The Department of Labor (DOL). The Department of Labor provides an example of the over-appropriations in its 2023 budget where it was given $44.61 billion in budgetary resources, yet held just $28.95 billion in total obligations; this means an unmerited $15.66 billion dollars remains officially unallocated. According to New York State, the unemployment rate went from 16.6% in March 2020, to levels seen pre-pandemic, yet the conditions of the city have not improved; as these updated statistics now include remote positions, disregarding the loss of small businesses during the city’s lockdowns; the majority of local businesses still recovering.

The Department of State (DOS). The Department of State has fallen reliant on systemic poverty to facilitate U.S. foreign relations. Africa is home to a population of 1.2 Billion people; according to The World Bank (TWB), Sub-Saharan Africa exports 520 products to 226 countries, while importing 4,616 products from 237 countries, annually. The TWB reports $66.89 Billion in Net Development Assistance and Official Aid sent directly to the Sub-Sahara region during 2020; yet SOS Children’s Villages (SOSCV), an organization active in 46 African countries, states that Africa has 226.7 million starving citizens affected by extreme poverty south of the Sahara, afflicting nearly half of the region’s population and designating this area as one of the poorest in the world. The United Nations (UN) predicts a record high of 48 Million starving Africans, referring to it as “the final wakeup call for regional governments to act now.” The UN cites its commitment to addressing the African food crisis using a “robust food systems approach,” yet the Sub-Saharan region in Africa remains the poorest on the planet. A 2021 Economic Development in Africa Report stated that 80% of the population in most African countries survive on less than $5.50 USD per day. Africa’s population is forced to rely on government intervention, abide by the mandated allocations, and neglect to provide sustainable strategies. This ineffective strategy fails to impact the poorest members of the African population; the approach must be adjusted and improved.

The Department of Transportation (DOT). The Department of Transportation (DOT) is another greatly misappropriated agency. In New York City, under-budgeting leads to flooded subway stations annually and other routine dangers to the population. The New York State Comptroller, Thomas P. DiNapoli, and Deputy Comptroller, Rahul Jain, cited that lack of funding given to the New York transportation system resulted in lawless drivers, stating that “driver behavior has become more erratic, leading to a significant increase in the number of traffic fatalities.” As a solution, the DOT utilized the majority of their appropriations “to enhance safety measures,” announcing, “the largest new investment of which is for the continued expansion of DOT’s traffic camera program.” Heightened surveillance may not stop bad drivers and those willing to commit crimes; New York State’s Comptroller report cites that, “The City [of New York] has attributed the decline to a lack of contract work for resurfacing, which exacerbated pandemic-related staffing issues.” The origin of this underdevelopment must be addressed; rather than blaming the citizen for erratic behavior, public infrastructure must be amended to create safer transportation and driving conditions.

The Department of Treasury. Today’s Secretary of Treasury bears responsibility for our current national debt of nearly $32 Trillion in debt, as our nation faces the largest accumulation of debt per taxpayer in the history of America. The Department of Treasury must submit to an annual audit of all appropriations, including all annual printed dollars; these audits must be made public and subjected to strict scrutiny.

The Department of Veteran’s Affairs. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) requested a total of $325.1 billion in fiscal year (FY) 2024. This represents a modest 5.4 percent increase above FY 2023; many veterans remain neglected by the U.S. government following their commitment to our nation. Instead, the executive branch funds foreign civil wars, neglects to preserve the defense of our nation, and abandons the general wellbeing of veterans.

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) will work with the Department of State (DOS), falling under more scrutiny than its current free range of motion. When independent unregulated agencies amass more power than the President, his cabinet, and even Congress, it inflicts a peril on civil morale, wildly evident in the rise of unexplainable crime and division. Forcing civilians to concede to an artificial authority in all aspects of their daily lives produces a negative influence on society, its people, and the economy.

Federal Reserve. The Federal Reserve needs a direct system of checks and balances to be placed upon it in order to prevent sinking our nation further into fiscal despair. The Federal Reserve pumps out money under the direct order of the Secretary of Treasury, and its abiding department. The 2023 Federal Reserve Print Order contains a “range of 4.5 billion to 8.6 billion notes, valued at $166.5 billion to $190.5 billion.”

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA is a cabinet-level independent agency devoted entirely to small businesses, yet their efficacy remains to be seen. A Local Economic Impact Report released by Yelp from September 2020 reveals that, “In the wake of COVID-19…we’re seeing both permanent and temporary closures rise across the nation, with 60% of those closed businesses not reopening (97,966 permanently closed).” As a result, residents have been forced into remote jobs or corporate positions to make ends meet.

Conclusion

The solution is that the federal regulatory agencies have attributed to the decline in prosperity evident within our nation, and themselves must be regulated. This means placing sanctions on the available allocations for their appropriations that best interest the needs of the people. What works institutionally, does not always best represent the needs of the public, therefore should be addressed through the majoritarian populist lens. Our nation was not founded to fall into a despotic state of civil disparity, and we are the legislators tasked with changing the course of the trajectory in our nation.

---

Bibliography

Apeel. Food Gone Good.

https://www.apeel.com/

Archives. (1981). Executive Orders. https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12291.html

Archives.gov. (September 11th, 1993). Executive Order 12862. https://www.archives.gov/files/federal-register/executive-orders/pdf/12862.pdf

Bls. (2023). Employment Situation Summary – 2023 M04 Results. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.pdf

Cbp. (2023). CBP Releases March 2023 Monthly Operational Update | U.S. Customs and Border Protection. https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/cbp-releases-march-2023-monthly-operational-update

Children’s Defense Fund. (2021) The State of America’s Children 2021 – Child Hunger and Nutrition. https://www.childrensdefense.org/state-of-americas-children-2021/soac-2021-child-hunger/

Congress. (2021). Actions – H.J.Res.3 – 117th Congress (2021-2022): Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States. https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-joint-resolution/3/actions?s=1&r=6

Congress. (2021). H.R. 2577. https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/2577?s=1&r=2&q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22hr+2577%22%5D%7D

Congress. (2023). H.R 857. https://www.congress.gov/118/bills/hr857/BILLS-118hr857ih.pdf

Congress. (2023). H.R. 277. https://www.congress.gov/118/bills/hr277/BILLS-118hr277rh.pdf

Congress. (2023). H.R. 3746. https://www.congress.gov/118/bills/hr3746/BILLS-118hr3746enr.pdf

Congress. Legislative Glossary. https://www.congress.gov/help/legislative-glossary#glossary_billsummary

Cornell. U.S. Code 31 Section 1105. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/31/1105

Defense. (January 6^th, 2023). More Than $3 Billion in Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine. https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3261263/more-than-3-billion-in-additional-security-assistance-for-ukraine/

Department. (2023). Budget – U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. https://department.va.gov/administrations-and-offices/management/budget/

DOI. (Accessed on June 16^th, 2023). Interior Budget | U.S. Department of the Interior. https://www.doi.gov/ocl/interior-budget-11

Dol. (Accessed June 15^th, 2023). Labor Statistics for the New York City Region | Department of Labor. https://dol.ny.gov/labor-statistics-new-york-city-region

Ed. (Accessed on June 16^th, 2023). Federal Role in Education. https://www2.ed.gov/about/overview/fed/role.html

EPA. (Accessed on Jun 15^th, 2023). What is the National Environmental Policy Act? | US EPA. https://www.epa.gov/nepa/what-national-environmental-policy-act

FAO. News Article: FAO report cites 41 countries needing external assistance for food. https://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/1208508/icode/

FederalRegister. (May 20^th, 2022). Federal Register :: National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Regulations Revisions. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/04/20/2022-08288/national-environmental-policy-act-implementing-regulations-revisions

FederalRegister. (Accessed on July 4^th, 2023). Agencies. https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies

FederalReserve. (2023). The Fed – 2023 Federal Reserve Note Print Order. https://www.federalreserve.gov/paymentsystems/initial_2023_currency_print_order.htm

Fee. (1987). A Balanced Budget Amendment – Foundation for Economic Education. https://fee.org/articles/a-balanced-budget-amendment/

Feeding America. (April 2019). Food Price Variation. https://www.feedingamerica.org/sites/default/files/2019-04/2017-map-the-meal-gap-food-price-variation.pdf

FRAC. (2021). Hunger & Poverty in America – Food Research & Action Center. https://frac.org/hunger-poverty-america

Governor. (2023). No. 28.1: Declaring A Disaster Emergency In The State Of New York | Governor Kathy Hochul. https://www.governor.ny.gov/executive-order/no-281-declaring-disaster-emergency-state-new-york. https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2023-05/EO_28.1.pdf

GovInfo. (2020). Public Law 120-260. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-116publ260/pdf/PLAW-116publ260.pdf

Govinfo. (June 23^rd, 2011). House Report 112-117 – BALANCED BUDGET CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CRPT-112hrpt117/html/CRPT-112hrpt117.htm

GovInfo. (2012) U.S. Code Title 31 Chapter 11 Section 1105. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2012-title31/pdf/USCODE-2012-title31-subtitleII-chap11-sec1105.pdf

House Committee on Appropriations. (2022). Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023. https://appropriations.house.gov/sites/democrats.appropriations.house.gov/files/FY23%20Summary%20of%20Appropriations%20Provisions.pdf

House. U.S. Code Title 2 Chapter 20. http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:2%20section:901%20edition:prelim)

House. U.S. Code Title 42 Chapter 20. http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:42%20section:5121%20edition:prelim)

ILO. (2019). Wages In Africa. https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/—africa/—ro-abidjan/—sro-cairo/documents/publication/wcms_728363.pdf

Law. 42 U.S. Code § 300aa–22 – Standards of responsibility | U.S. Code | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/300aa-22.

Muhsin, J. (September 20^th, 2021). Pfizer Tests Vaccine on 2,268 Children – JMBK.NEWS.

Obamawhitehouse. (2011). Executive Order 13571–Streamlining Service Delivery and Improving Customer Service. https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2011/04/27/executive-order-13571-streamlining-service-delivery-and-improving-custom

OSC. (2022). Issues Facing New York City’s Department of Transportation. https://www.osc.state.ny.us/files/reports/osdc/pdf/dot-issue-brief.pdf

Raskin. (January 2^nd, 2019). National Capital Region Delegation Secures Elimination of Holman Rule in Rules Package For 116th Congress. https://raskin.house.gov/2019/1/national-capital-region-delegation-secures-elimination-holman-rule-rules

Rep Raskin, Jamie. (2023). Statement on 2nd Anniversary of January 6^th. https://raskin.house.gov/2023/1/rep-raskin-statement-on-2nd-anniversary-of-january-6th-insurrection

Rep. Cammack, Kat. (2023) H.R. 277. https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/277/actions?s=1&r=1&q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22hr+277%22%5D%7D

Rep. Carter, Earl L. “Buddy” (2023). H.R. 857. https://www.congress.gov/118/bills/hr857/BILLS-118hr857ih.pdf

Rep. Foxx, Virginia. (2023). H.R. 159. https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/159?s=1&r=7

Rep. Good, Bob (2021). H.R. 2577. https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/2577?s=1&r=2&q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22hr+2577%22%5D%7D

Rep. McHenry, Patrick. (2021). H.R. 7252. https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/hr7252/BILLS-117hr7252ih.pdf

S.J. Res. ___. (2023). Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring that the Federal budget be balanced. https://www.lee.senate.gov/services/files/64224043-9139-42FB-96EE-99C751440DB0

SEC. (2021). U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. https://www.sec.gov/oiea/investor-alerts-and-bulletins/environmental-social-and-governance-esg-funds-investor-bulletin

Senate. (2022). Appropriations. https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/JRQ121922.PDF

Senator Lee, M. (February 16th, 2023). Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring that the Federal budget be balanced. https://www.lee.senate.gov/services/files/64224043-9139-42FB-96EE-99C751440DB0

SOS-USA. Hunger and famine in Africa: facts, causes, consequences – SOS Children’s Villages USA. https://www.sos-usa.org/about-us/where-we-work/africa/hunger-in-africa#

TWB. Net official development assistance and official aid received (current US$) – Sub-Saharan Africa. https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/DT.ODA.ALLD.CD?locations=ZG

US House of Representatives. The Holman Rule. History, Art & Archives. https://history.house.gov/Historical-Highlights/1851-1900/The-Holman-Rule/

Usaspending. (2023). Department of Labor (DOL) | Spending Profile | USAspending. https://www.usaspending.gov/agency/department-of-labor?fy=2023

USCode. 31 USC 1115: Federal Government and agency performance plans. https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:31%20section:1115%20edition:prelim)

Uscode. 8 USC 1101: Definitions. https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid%3AUSC-prelim-title8-section1101&num=0&edition=prelim.

Veritas. (October 4^th, 2021). Project Veritas Pfizer Scientist: ‘Your Antibodies are Probably Better than the Vaccination’ | James O’Keefe. https://www.projectveritas.com/news/pfizer-scientist-your-antibodies-are-probably-better-than-the-vaccination/.

Whitehouse. (February 22^nd, 2023). FACT SHEET: BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES ACTION TO SAVE HOMEBUYERS AND HOMEOWNERS $800 PER YEAR | The White House. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/02/22/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-announces-action-to-save-homebuyers-and-homeowners-800-per-year/

WITS. Sub-Saharan Africa Trade. https://wits.worldbank.org/CountrySnapshot/en/SSF/textview

Ycharts. (March 2023). New York, NY Unemployment Rate. https://ycharts.com/indicators/new_york_ny_unemployment_rate

YelpEconomicAverage. (September 2020). Yelp: Local Economic Impact Report.https://www.yelpeconomicaverage.com/business-closures-update-sep-2020.html