Do You Agree With Hultgren That Government Regulation Has Gone Too Far?

ongressman Randy Hultgren (IL-14) issued the following statement after the House passed a series of bills this week aimed at stopping government abuse of power:

“The recent revelations that Internal Revenue Service officials abused their power to target organizations on the basis of their philosophical and political beliefs reminds us of the immense power federal bureaucrats from hundreds of different agencies have over matters large and small.  Thus, I am pleased to have voted for a number of bills this week that stop government abuse of power.

“These measures focus on getting government agencies off the backs of hard-working Americans and holding unelected bureaucrats accountable for their actions.  They include preventing the IRS from implementing any portion of Obamacare; requiring Congressional approval of regulations costing more than $100 million; allowing agencies to place employees on unpaid leave when under investigation for serious offenses; requiring agencies to adopt customer service standards; ensuring that individuals have the right to record their meetings and telephone exchanges with federal regulatory officials; increasing transparency with respect to taxpayer-funded conferences and limiting the number of such conferences; providing for the termination of IRS employees who use their official position for political purposes; and ensuring that IRS employees understand and abide by certain taxpayer rights, including the rights to privacy and confidentiality. 

“The Stop Government Abuse initiatives are in line with legislation I introduced earlier this year, H.R. 309, the Regulatory Sunset and Review Act, now with more than 60 cosponsors.  H.R. 309 mandates agency review of all existing regulations with a cost exceeding $100 million and to sunset those that are obsolete.  I anticipate further action on H.R. 309 later this fall.

“Each year, federal agencies issue hundreds of regulations covering everything from health care to the kind of light bulbs you can buy.  The Stop Government Abuse bills the House passed this week are an effort to rein in runaway government and empower citizens.  The message is clear:  Americans are tired of intrusive and abusive government and expect those that violate the public trust to be held accountable.”

SOURCE: Randy Hultgren press release