White House threatens vetoes on 2 bills that place restrictions on regulations

The White House says President Barack Obama would veto two Republican House bills that would place restrictions on how the government applies regulations.

One bill aims to strengthen a 1995 law by requiring government agencies to undertake cost analyses of regulations and determine what costs are passed on to consumers. The other would require agencies to analyze the effect of proposed rules on small businesses. The House is scheduled to vote on both bills this week.

The White House budget office says one bill would undermine the ability of agencies to provide public health and safety protections and the other would invite "frivolous" litigation.

Advocates of the legislation say government regulations often have unintended consequences and that agencies need to do a better job of evaluating their effects.