Blog: Weekly Wrap-Up: May 13, 2013 - May 17, 2013

Statement

* Repealing Obamacare: The fact of the matter is Obamacare is bad for Arkansans. Not only will it cause insurance premiums to sky rocket by as much as 60-100 percent for Arkansas families, but it will also raise 21 taxes by more than $1 trillion dollars and will cost at least $1.7 trillion in the first decade alone. I spoke on the House floor against this terrible law and voted for full repeal.

* IRS Targeting: I find the targeting of conservative groups by the IRS appalling and inexcusable. The IRS has the power to enforce our tax laws. As James Madison said, "the power to tax is the power to destroy." It's the most awesome power the government has after the power to prosecute. So anytime the IRS singles out any organization or any American because of their viewpoint it contradicts the very principles this country was founded on. The Ways and Means Committee held their first oversight hearing on this issue and other House Committees will be following suit. Those responsible must be held accountable.

* National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies: I enjoyed having the Arkansas members of the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies visit my D.C. office this week.

* Benghazi: I have been gravely concerned with the Administration's handling of the attack on our consulate in Benghazi on September 11, 2012 that killed 4 Americans, including Ambassador Chris Stevens. Last week, three senior-level government officials testified before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and cast new light on what happened before, during, and after the attack as well as what steps the Administration has taken to cover their tracks. For me, it raised many more questions and illustrated the need to continue to investigate further.

* SEC Oversight: This week the Financial Services Committee heard testimony from Mary Jo White, Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. I took this opportunity to question her about the SEC's potential discretionary rule-making regarding disclosure of political spending by corporations.

Source