WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama's first official act has been to freeze all proposed federal rules changes left unfinished by George W. Bush's administration.
Obama's order took effect when he was sworn in Tuesday. It gives his administration a chance to review numerous pending actions affecting the environment, labor relations and other fields, and to decide whether to block them.
Among the rules on hold is one from the Interior Department, which would remove gray wolves from Endangered Species protections in much of the northern Rocky Mountains. The Natural Resources Defense Council calls the move a "stay of execution."
Other pending rules would limit overtime pay for some groups of workers, and let employers not disclose some pension plan expenses.
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