Wyoming’s U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis is leading a new effort in Congress to keep foreign adversaries from weighing in on America’s federal regulatory process. Her newly introduced Safeguarding U.S. Rulemaking Act would prohibit individuals, companies, or governments tied to adversarial nations from submitting public comments during the federal rulemaking process.
Why Lummis Says the Change Is Needed
Federal agencies are required to collect public comments before finalizing new rules, a process designed to let citizens and industries shape policy. But Lummis argues that loopholes in the current system have allowed foreign governments, including adversaries like China, Russia, and Iran, to insert themselves into that process.
In her statement, Lummis said:
“Foreign adversaries should not be given the opportunity to meddle in America’s rulemaking and harm our economy.”
She added that the bill is meant to defend American sovereignty:
“The rulemaking process is designed to give Americans a voice, not foreign adversaries that want to undermine our institutions.”
What the Safeguarding U.S. Rulemaking Act Would Do
The bill amends Section 553 of Title 5 in the U.S. Code, the section governing federal rulemaking. It adds a new provision declaring that any individual, corporation, or government tied to a nation formally designated as a “foreign adversary” is ineligible to:
- Submit public comments
- Petition a federal agency
- Participate in any portion of the rulemaking process
This designation is based on the U.S. Department of Commerce’s foreign adversary list, which currently includes several countries known for cyber intrusions, espionage, and attempts to influence U.S. policy.
The full legislative text can be viewed here:
Safeguarding U.S. Rulemaking Act (PDF)
How This Could Impact Federal Agencies
If enacted, federal agencies would need to implement verification systems to ensure public comments do not originate from restricted nations or their entities. Supporters of the bill say this closes a gap that could be exploited to influence sensitive regulations, from energy and mining to technology and national security.
Critics may raise questions about how agencies will authenticate commenters and whether the policy could inadvertently block valid participants with international ties. Those details, supporters say, will be hammered out as the legislation moves through committee.
A National Security Push With Wyoming Roots
Lummis has frequently spotlighted cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, and foreign threats as top priorities. For Wyoming industries, energy, agriculture, outdoor recreation, and technology, the rulemaking process often directly affects permitting, land use, environmental policy, and economic regulation.
The senator argues that only American voices should shape those outcomes.
Antlers Arch will continue tracking the progress of the Safeguarding U.S. Rulemaking Act as it moves through Congress.
AntlersArch founder and the voice behind Teton Tattle.
