The Federalism Beat

130 leaders urge federalism-based enforcements of new Trump EO

Posted March 7, 2025

President Donald J. Trump displays his signature after signing Executive Orders on Transparency in Federal Guidance and Enforcement Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2019, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House.

For many Americans, the cost of doing business is weighed down by a labyrinth of federal regulations that stifle economic growth, innovation, and prosperity. To alleviate that burden, President Trump signed Executive Order 14192, aimed at reducing the rule making whims of federal agencies. Trump has ordered federal agencies to eliminate 10 existing regulations for every new one introduced, with an added boost that the total cost of new rules remains below zero. The White House Office of Budget and Management (OMB) is tasked with implementing the new order.

Unfortunately, even with the good intentions of the order, one problem still needs to be rectified: the underutilization of the federalism review process so that states have real power and authority when it comes to reviewing and challenging rulemaking imposed on them from afar.

That’s why 130 state officials, state policy leaders, and national-free market leaders recently signed onto a letter that was sent to OMB Director Russ Vought calling for the strengthening of the federalism review in the regulatory process.

While there have been past efforts to accomplish this, including an executive order from Ronald Reagan, meaningful federalism review efforts are routinely discounted by Washington agency officials through bureaucratic decrees often wrapped up in an ideological agenda.

The Constitution grants most powers to the states while limiting the national government. The reasons for this are many, but an obvious reason for a revitalization of the federalism review in the regulatory process is to empower the representatives closest to the people while limiting the unchecked power of unelected federal agencies over Americans in every state. States have a right and obligation to chart a destiny free from excessive federal intrusion and when they do so, they strengthen the constitutional balance of power, uphold local governance, and protect the liberties of their citizens.

OMB Federalism EO Coalition Letter_March 2025[22]Download

Coordinating Organization

Tony Woodlief

Senior Fellow

Center for Practical Federalism at State Policy Network

Statewide Officials

Chris Brown

Public Service Commissioner, Northern District

Mississippi

Wayne Carr