WASHINGTON DC: (Rocktown Now) – The House Judiciary Committee voted to advance legislation sponsored by Rep. Ben Cline, R‑Va., that would expand public oversight of federal agency settlement agreements.
The measure, titled the Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2025, was approved by the committee and sent to the full House for consideration. The bill aims to increase transparency, accountability, and public participation in consent decrees and settlement agreements entered into by federal agencies.
Supporters of the legislation argue that such agreements are often used to implement significant regulatory changes without adequate public review. The bill would require agencies to provide public notice of proposed consent decrees and settlements, allow for public comment, and ensure greater judicial scrutiny before agreements are finalized.
“The American people should never be shut out of decisions that reshape federal policy,” Cline said in a statement following the committee vote. He said the bill would help end “backroom arrangements” that allow lawsuits to drive regulatory changes without sufficient transparency or accountability.
According to Cline, the legislation would give taxpayers, workers, and small businesses a greater opportunity to weigh in on agreements that could have wide‑ranging economic and regulatory impacts.
The bill now awaits consideration by the full House of Representatives.