Comparing the Draft and Final Circular A4
A comparison of the final OMB Circular A-4 to the draft proposed in April 2023
Improving regulatory policy
through research, education, and outreach.
Promotes best practices for regulatory analysis
Improves regulatory processes and institutions
Serves as a source for objective information
"The GW Regulatory Studies Center has done phenomenal work in cataloguing and analyzing reforms in regulatory policy...[it is] a national treasure."
Cass R. Sunstein
Robert Walmsley University Professor, Harvard
OIRA Administrator Under President Obama
In April 2023, the White House issued Executive Order 14094 “Modernizing Regulatory Review” and proposed updates for the documents guiding benefit-cost analysis and economic discount rates for regulations (Circular A-4) and spending (Circular A-94) across federal agencies. The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) is working to implement these much-anticipated changes, which comprise the most significant regulatory policy initiatives of the Biden administration and raise interesting benefit-cost analysis issues, including the appropriate discount rate, who has standing in a benefit-cost analysis, and how distributional impacts should be measured.
As these actions develop throughout the upcoming year, the Regulatory Studies Center will be covering these actions extensively through engaging events, public comments, insightful commentaries and op-eds, and podcast discussions with our experts.
Comparing the Draft and Final Circular A-4. Mark Febrizio, Sarah Hay, and Zhoudan (Zoey) Xie. November 10.
Promoting Best Practices for US Regulatory Analysis, Joseph Cordes, Susan Dudley, Donald S. Kenkel et al. The Regulatory Review, October 12.
Recent Antitrust and Regulatory Changes Both Unravel the Consensus, Susan Dudley & Mary Sullivan, September 18.
Maintaining the Durability of Regulatory Analysis. Susan Dudley interviewed by The Regulatory Review, September 17.
Comparing the Draft and Final Circular A4
A comparison of the final OMB Circular A-4 to the draft proposed in April 2023
Structural Challenges Loom for Biden’s Executive Order on Artificial Intelligence
Biden’s Executive Order 14110 envisions a whole-of-government response to mitigating AI risks. As agencies work on implementation, several challenges lay ahead.
Congressionally Reviewed: A New Pattern in CRA Vetoes
President Biden has vetoed more CRA resolutions of disapproval than all other presidents, combined
"Your input and expertise during the drafting of the Early Participation in Regulations Act of 2019 and SMART Act of 2019 was invaluable."
Joint Statement (PDF)
Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ)
Senator James Lankford (R-OK)
"The GW Regulatory Studies Center provided me with the analytical skills I needed, and gave me a sense of community as an international student."
— Ana Maria Zárate Moreno
"It is rare to find a situation where you have a community of scholars who are so accomplished all studying regulation in one place."
— Christopher Carrigan
"To make my stories authoritative I like to talk to analysts who have practical knowledge of regulatory policy, and that's why I keep returning to the GW Regulatory Studies Center."
— Cheryl Bolen