Elsberry Democrat: More Freedom and Less Government

Op-Ed

By Roy Blunt

Recent surveys show Americans' confidence in our federal government has hit historic lows -- and who can blame them? From the president's flawed health care law, to out-of-control spending, our failure to harness more American energy, and the continued regulatory burdens hampering economic growth -- it's clear the federal government has simply gotten too big and too dysfunctional. Every day, members of the House and Senate have a choice: More government and less freedom or more freedom and less government.

Washington should work for you -- not the other way around. That's why I've introduced and co-sponsored even more legislation in just the last few weeks to help restore trust, accountability, and transparency in government.

In the wake of the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) targeting scandal, I introduced the "Citizen Empowerment Act" to give you the tools to hold the federal government accountable by allowing people to record conversations with executive agency employees. I introduced the "Government Employee Accountability Act" to ensure employees working at the highest level of our government are held accountable. I also co-sponsored Senator Rand Paul's (Ky.) REINS Act to ensure Congress has an active role in reviewing some of the most costly new regulations -- before they're enacted.

The House passed all of these bills, and I hope the Senate will allow votes as well. In addition, I've called on Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nev.) to allow a vote on my bipartisan bill with Senator Angus King (Maine) to review, streamline, and eliminate burdensome and outdated government regulations that prevent job creators and small business owners from investing, growing, and hiring.

Americans deserve the tools to even the playing field and get the federal government off their backs. It's time we put the power back where it belongs -- in the hands of the people -- and restore trust, accountability, and transparency in Washington.

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