Welcome to Overnight Regulation, your daily rundown of news from the federal agencies, Capitol Hill, the courts and beyond. It’s Thursday evening here in Washington where Ben Carson survived his Senate confirmation hearing.

Here’s the latest.

 

THE BIG STORY

Dr. Ben Carson on Thursday blamed housing regulations that are “superimposed on highly segregated neighborhoods” for “entrenching racial segregation” in America’s poor neighborhoods at his confirmation hearing as Department of Housing and Urban Development secretary.

“President-elect [Donald] Trump has talked about the importance of deregulation. That applies to housing as well,” Carson told the Senate committee that oversees housing.

Trump nominated Carson on Dec. 5 to lead HUD. Both have widely discussed their intentions to rollback burdensome regulations.

{mosads}

This became a point of emphasis during the confirmation hearing.

Carson targeted land-use regulations in his prepared remarks, blaming them for increasing the cost of buying a home.

But he dodged questions about whether he would attempt to weaken a housing discrimination regulation known as the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule.

The view that the government imposes burdensome regulations may also present a particular dilemma for Carson in the form of HUD’s recent smoking ban for public housing.

As a doctor, Carson is aware of the dangers of smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke. But he declined to detail his take on the smoking ban when asked by The Hill on Thursday.

“Once I’m confirmed, we will talk about it,” he said.

To recap The Hill’s coverage of Carson’s hearing, click here, for the four big takeaways.

 

TOMORROW’S REGS TDOAY

Here’s a sneak peak at Friday’s edition of the Federal Register:

Labeling rules: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will propose new labeling requirements for deer meat.

The USDA plans to add venison and ground venison to a list of foods that fall under the country of origin labeling rules.

The public has 60 days to comment.

Endangered species: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) will consider new protections for certain killer whales.

The agency is reviewing a petition from the Center for Biological Diversity to “establish a whale protection zone in the San Juan Islands, Washington, to support recovery of endangered Southern Resident killer whales.” 

The public has 90 days to comment.

Emissions standards: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing new emissions standards for yeast manufacturers. 

The public has until Feb. 24 to comment.

 

NEWS RIGHT NOW

EPA: Fiat Chrysler cheated federal emissions testing

Carson, Warren battle at confirmation hearing

Rumored consumer bureau pick meets with Trump: report

Under Carson’s vision, big changes could come to HUD

Carson likely to roll back housing equality rule

Carson blames regulations for racial segregation in poor neighborhoods

Obama creates, expands national monuments

FAA proposes $91,000 fine for Amazon over hazardous materials

Greens, industry send dueling letters to senators on EPA nominee Pruitt

Greens’ ads hit EPA pick on pollution rules, earthquakes

Report: Takata to plead guilty in defective airbag probe

TSA confiscates record-breaking number of guns in 2016

Trump meets with AT&T execs amid merger push

  

TODAY’S REG COUNT

18: Proposed rules

14: Final rules

(Source: Federal Register) 

 

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“One of the things that I discovered as a neurosurgeon, you’re much more effective when you bring in a bigger-picture view of things. Instead of looking at a tumor someone has in their brain [consider] … how can you bring health to this entire individual … and put them in an environment where they can thrive,” said Dr. Ben Carson at his confirmation hearing to be secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

Carson has big plans for changing the agency, telling lawmakers that if confirmed he would take a more “holistic” approach to management. The Hill’s Megan Wilson has more here.

 

We’ll work to stay on top of these and other stories throughout the week, so check The Hill’s Regulation page (http://thehill.com/regulation) early and often for the latest. And send any comments, complaints or regulatory news tips our way, tdevaney@thehill.com or lwheeler@thehill.com. And follow us at @timdevaney and @wheelerlydia.

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