Cass Sunstein, an influential adviser to President Obama, will leave his position as the administration’s head of regulatory affairs to return to a job at Harvard Law School, the White House announced Friday.
Sunstein’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs oversaw all proposed federal regulations, and he led the Obama administration’s government-wide “lookback” effort to streamline paperwork requirements for businesses.
“Cass has shown that it is possible to support economic growth without sacrificing health, safety, and the environment,” Obama said in a statement. “I can’t thank him enough for his friendship and for his years of exceptional service.”
Sunstein’s departure is unexpected and comes three months before the election, during a time when Republicans have criticized the administration for failing to eliminate burdensome regulation that they say has hampered business growth during a sluggish economy.
Sunstein and wife, Samantha Powers, an official at the National Security Council, recently had a baby daughter, another factor in his decision, according to Jeffrey Zients, acting director of the Office of Management and Budget.
In a blog post, Zients said Sunstein’s efforts to get rid of unnecessary and redundant requirements for businesses has “already produced over $10 billion in five-year savings, along with the elimination of tens of millions of hours in annual paperwork burdens.”
Zients promised “far greater savings” over time because of the changes the administration has made.
Boris Bershteyn, the budget office’s general counsel, will replace Sunstein as acting director.
Scott Wilson contributed to this report.
Sunstein’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs oversaw all proposed federal regulations, and he led the Obama administration’s government-wide “lookback” effort to streamline paperwork requirements for businesses.
“Cass has shown that it is possible to support economic growth without sacrificing health, safety, and the environment,” Obama said in a statement. “I can’t thank him enough for his friendship and for his years of exceptional service.”
Sunstein’s departure is unexpected and comes three months before the election, during a time when Republicans have criticized the administration for failing to eliminate burdensome regulation that they say has hampered business growth during a sluggish economy.
Sunstein and wife, Samantha Powers, an official at the National Security Council, recently had a baby daughter, another factor in his decision, according to Jeffrey Zients, acting director of the Office of Management and Budget.
In a blog post, Zients said Sunstein’s efforts to get rid of unnecessary and redundant requirements for businesses has “already produced over $10 billion in five-year savings, along with the elimination of tens of millions of hours in annual paperwork burdens.”
Zients promised “far greater savings” over time because of the changes the administration has made.
Boris Bershteyn, the budget office’s general counsel, will replace Sunstein as acting director.
Scott Wilson contributed to this report.