AEA Joins With 16 Free Market Groups to Urge Passage of REINS Act

On Thursday, April 30, 2026 the American Energy Alliance joined with 16 other free market advocacy groups in sending a letter to the leadership of the United States Senate. The group, lead by American Commitment, is urging Senate leadership to pass the REINS Act immediately. The full text of the letter is available below:

4/30/2026

Dear Senate Majority Leader Thune & Majority Whip Barrasso,

The clock is running out on the current legislative session, and with it, a critical opportunity to establish effective legislative control of major regulations in Missouri.  On behalf of the thousands of Missouri constituents and supporters of the signatory organizations, we are writing to urge Senate Leadership to place HB 2559 on the Senate calendar for a vote before adjournment.

For too long, unelected bureaucrats have enjoyed a blank check to bypass the people’s representatives, imposing regulations that carry the full force of law without a single vote being cast by an elected official.  Fourteen states have passed a REINS Act to require affirmative legislative approval of new regulations and break this cycle.  Missouri should join them.

Legislatures, of course, are capable of making bad regulatory decisions, but many of the worst ideas would be stopped and bad ideas that are approved would have to be defended to voters.  Knowing regulations will come back for approval also forces legislators to write better laws to begin with, rather than punting difficult decisions to bureaucrats with broad or vague provisions.

The Missouri REINS Act would require that any proposed regulation with an economic impact exceeding $250,000 must receive explicit approval from the General Assembly before it can take effect.  The bill includes necessary exemptions for emergency rules and federal compliance, ensuring the state can still function during crises.

Polling shows that 75% of Missouri voters believe the legislature should have the final say on regulations that impact the economy. 

This also represents a state-level version of a Trump Administration national priority that has been blocked by Democratic filibuster.  Establishing the principle of legislative accountability at the state level would build momentum for this desperately needed reform to advance at the federal level in the future, as legislators accustomed to this process move to Congress.

If the Senate fails to act now, it would mean refusing to do the basic legislative work of voting on the major regulations that affect the Missouri economy.  We urge you not to let another session slip away while the regulatory burden on Missouri families and businesses grows unchecked.

Sincerely,