Regulatory Reform in the 104th Congress: Revolution or Evolution?

This article examines the regulatory reform efforts of the 104thCongress. The focus is on congressional efforts to (1) relaxregulations, (2) shift responsibilities to the states, and (3)scrutinize new regulations. Analysis of legislation in eachof these three areas is followed by consideration of whetherthe laws that have been and will be enacted during the 104thCongress are truly revolutionary, or whether such laws representthe continual evolution of relations between the federal governmenton the one hand and the states, localities, and private sectoron the other.