Issue Position: Government Accountability and Transparency

Issue Position

The people defined and granted to the federal government its limited powers. Therefore, I believe it is crucial for the federal government to be transparent and accountable to the people. The Congress has a responsibility to be transparent and to conduct aggressive oversight over government agencies, government officials, and their actions.

Actions

*I am a cospsonsor of the Federal Reserve Transparency Act, H.R. 24, which would require a full audit of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal reserve banks by the Comptroller General of the United States.

*I introduced the Regulatory Accountability Act, H.R. 185, which addresses the problem of escalating, excessive federal regulatory costs by requiring federal bureaucrats to adopt the least costly method to effectively implement the law. It passed the House by a vote of 250-175.

*I have cosponsored the Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act (H.R. 712) to impose limitations on consent decrees and settlement agreements by agencies that require the agencies to take regulatory action.

*I am a cosponsor to the Government Neutrality in Contracting Act (H.R. 1671), which would prohibit federal agencies from requiring federal contractors to agree to project labor agreements (PLAs). This legislation would allow contractors to voluntarily agree to PLAs without government coercion.

*I was one of five Members of Congress to serve on the House Judiciary Committee's Impeachment Task Force, which prosecuted two corrupt federal judges before the U.S. Senate. These judges were ultimately removed from office for such acts as bribery, corrupt dealings, and serious judicial misconduct.

*As a Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, I continue to conduct aggressive oversight over the Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Communications Commission, the FBI, Secret Service, and many other government agencies. I have introduced the Secret Service Improvements Act (H.R. 1656) to reform the United States Secret Service. It strengthens the security of the President, protectees, and the White House complex; enhances Secret Service agents' training; and improves transparency and accountability at the agency.

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