The Tribune-Democrat - Rothfus Joins Finance Panel

News Article

By Dave Sutor

For the first time, U.S. Rep. Keith Rothfus, R-Sewickley, has been appointed to a committee that deals directly with the United States' economy.

He officially joined the House Financial Services Committee on Tuesday.

The group has jurisdiction over banks and banking, economic stabilization, international finance, securities and other aspects of the nation's financial development.

"This new assignment provides an opportunity to work directly on critical issues that face working families, small businesses and taxpayers as a whole," said Rothfus, a freshman, who already had been assigned to the homeland security and judiciary committees earlier this year.

"Access to credit is a major factor of our economic health. The financial services sector in western Pennsylvania employs tens of thousands of hardworking women and men and plays an integral role in fostering job growth in our region," he said.

Rothfus, who represents the 12th district, is one of only two members on the committee from Pennsylvania, along with Rep. Michael Fitzpatrick, R-Bucks County.

"With Keith's 20 years of private sector experience and common-sense approach, I am confident that he will provide a valuable perspec-tive as the only member of the financial services committee from western Pennsylvania," said committee chairman Rep. Jeb Hensarling, R-Texas.

"I look forward to working with Keith to cut the sheer weight, volume, complexity and uncertainty of the federal red tape burden that makes capital more expensive and less available."

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