Agencies Still Hand-Delivering Regulatory Documents to Capitol

Agencies issuing emergency and other regulations during the novel coronavirus pandemic are facing an unexpected conundrum: hand-deliver paper copies of their rules to Capitol Hill, or adhere to social distancing.

The Congressional Review Act of 1996 requires agencies to “submit” all final rules to the House, Senate and Government Accountability Office before they can take effect. The House and Senate parliamentarians are continuing to require that the submissions be made by hand or regular mail, said an administration official who requested anonymity to describe discussions with Congress.

The need for speed in response to the health crisis could spur lawmakers ...