CPAC Champions Regulatory Freedom with Notice-and-Comment Victories

The CPAC Foundation’s Center for Regulatory Freedom (CRF) consistently engages in the regulatory rulemaking process and has submitted countless comments, petitions, and letters advocating for broad deregulation and agency compliance with the Trump Administration’s directives. Among these submissions, CRF has effected change at the federal level, simply by engaging in the notice-and-comment process provided by the APA.

Social Security Administration’s Removal of “Gender-Inclusive Language”

Problem: During the transition period between President Trump’s electoral victory and his inauguration, SSA issued a public notice of their intent to modify Social Security records to incorporate “gender-inclusive language.”

Action: CRF submitted comments opposing this notice, arguing that the incorporation of “gender-inclusive language” directly contradicted the provisions of Executive Order 14168, “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.”

Response: On February 20, SSA issued a correction to their previous notice, removing gender references from Social Security records to comply with Executive Order 14168.

Federal Communications Commission Seeks Additional Comment from CPAC

Problem: In November of 2024, FCC issued a proposed rulemaking that would require covered text providers to provide the Lifeline Administrator with georouting data from covered text messages sent to the 988 Lifeline.

Action: CRF submitted comments addressing the privacy concerns associated with mandatory georouting, specifically privacy concerns of those with mental health issues expecting confidentiality when contacting the 988 Lifeline. CRF also provided an alternative to georouting, an informed consent model, that would strengthen the efficacy of the 988 Lifeline while protecting users’ privacy.

Response: FCC issued a “Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking” on March 4, seeking targeted comment on potential privacy issues related to the proposed rule. FCC directly addressed CPAC in its notice, stating that they “seek comment on the CPAC Foundation’s recommendation to establish an informed consent process for 988 Lifeline users,” indicating that FCC is receptive to CRF’s alternative solution.

CPAC's record of success demonstrates the importance of the notice-and-comment policy, especially with the Trump administration's increased utilization of the policy. The notice-and-comment policy is a key check on the administrative state that promotes transparency, limited government, and regulatory freedom, and gets the American people involved in their government. CPAC will continue to utilize the notice-and-comment policy as it was intended, to promote reduced regulatory burden on Americans.