Administrative State Accountability Project

The administrative state, made up of federal agencies, has a very powerful, though largely invisible influence on law, politics, and culture in the United States. Agency regulations, which have the force and effect of law, are issued by unelected agency officials and are the result of a complex process. A single rule can rewrite or change the meaning, application, and enforcement of laws passed by elected Members of Congress.  

EPPC’s Administrative State Accountability Project (ASAP), directed by Rachel N. Morrison, advocates for an authentic understanding of the human person in the drafting, implementation, and rollback of government regulations.  

Emphasizing a sound understanding of the legal protections Americans are entitled to, including religious freedom, health care rights of conscience, and the right to life, Project scholars engage in the agency rulemaking process by providing legal and policy expertise on proposed regulations, submitting public comments, meeting with government officials, and equipping others to participate. 

Formerly called the HHS Accountability Project, the work of the Project has expanded to include other agencies. 

Project scholars regularly publish articles, advise policymakers, give presentations, and file amicus briefs to advance the Project’s priorities. 

EPPC Fellow Eric Kniffin, Policy Analyst Natalie Dodson, and Legal Associate Sam Lucas also serve in the Administrative State Accountability Project. 


Engagement on Agency Actions

To shape policy, EPPC monitors and engages with federal agency actions. EPPC primarily engages in the rulemaking process by submitting written public comments and requesting meetings with government officials to provide input and specific suggested changes or improvements the agency must consider for its rulemaking. EPPC scholars also educate other organizations and individuals on how to effectively engage in the regulatory process and provide legal and policy expertise on various agency actions.

Amicus Briefs

EPPC and our scholars regularly file amicus briefs in key cases to promote a true and full account of human nature and human flourishing in the context of American constitutional law. Compiled on this page are some of our amicus briefs in cases addressing the right to life, marriage, gender ideology, religious freedom, free speech, and the rule of law. 

How to File a
Federal Conscience Complaint

How to Submit a Public Comment on Agency Rulemaking

How to Request a Meeting with Government Officials on Agency Rulemaking

Program Publications

View all

EPPC Scholars Oppose Proposed Speech Code for DC Attorneys

Rachel N. Morrison

On January 13, 2024, EPPC scholars Rachel N. Morrison and Eric Kniffin submitted a comment letter to the District of…

Articles

PDF / January 14, 2025

EPPC Scholars Submit Comment Opposing Proposed Rule Mandating OTC Contraception Coverage 

Eric Kniffin

On December 27, 2024, EPPC Scholars Eric Kniffin, Natalie Dodson, and Jamie Bryan Hall submitted a public comment opposing a…

Articles

PDF / January 7, 2025

EPPC Scholar Submits Comment on the Department of Agriculture’s Nondiscrimination Policy

Natalie Dodson

On December 23, 2024, EPPC scholar Natalie Dodson submitted a public comment on the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources…

PDF / January 6, 2025

EPPC Scholar Submits Public Comment on SAMHSA Zero Suicide Program

Natalie Dodson

On December 20, 2024, EPPC scholar Natalie Dodson submitted a public comment on the U.S. Department of Health and Human…

Articles

PDF / January 6, 2025

EEOC Says Title VII’s Religious-Organization Exemption Doesn’t Apply to Sex Discrimination Claims

Rachel N. Morrison

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency tasked with preventing and remedying employment discrimination, recently filed an amicus brief in the…

Articles

National Review Online / December 18, 2024

EPPC Scholars File Supreme Court Amicus Brief Supporting Challenge to Colorado Law Effectively Mandating “Gender…

Mary Rice Hasson

On Monday, December 9, 2024, EPPC Kate O’Beirne Senior Fellow Mary Rice Hasson and EPPC President Ryan T. Anderson, in…

Articles

PDF / December 12, 2024

EPPC Scholars Submit Comment on HHS’s Proposed Acquisition Regulation

Rachel N. Morrison

On December 2, 2024, EPPC scholars Rachel N. Morrison and Natalie Dodson submitted a public comment on the U.S. Department…

Articles

PDF / December 3, 2024

Program Media

View all

Rachel Morrison answers “Is Gender Dysphoria a Protected Disability?”

Fourth Branch Podcast / December 18, 2024

Eric Kniffin on Tennessee Senate Bill 1

The Federalist Society / November 26, 2024

Eric Kniffin on Creating a Culture of Support for Catholic Health Care

Catholic Healthcare Leadership Alliance / November 2, 2024

Rachel Morrison discusses Religious Liberty, Conscience Rights, and Federal Power

Faithful Politics Podcast / November 2, 2024

Rachel Morrison discusses Presidential Powers and Abortion

University of St. Thomas / October 31, 2024

Natalie Dodson discusses the White House’s Push for Prescription-Free Birth Control Coverage

EWTN News Nightly / October 25, 2024

Rachel Morrison discusses Religious Liberty and Regulations

Faith & Law / September 13, 2024