By Cong. Randy Neugebauer
Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. January 1st always offers the chance to review the accomplishments of the past year and to look forward to fresh opportunities in the new one. However
a recent Gallup poll showed that small business owners in the U.S. are most likely to say that complying with government regulations is the most important problem facing them today.
Because of a pattern of short-term budget gimmicks increased rules and regulations and a general instability in the markets
job creators across the U.S. are uncertain about the future.
Looking forward to our opportunities in Congress my resolution for House Republicans this year is for us to take strong smart steps to shrink the government remove the unfair tax burdens on hard-working Americans and get rid of overbearing impositions on the everyday lives of individuals.
I have offered legislation and will continue to advocate proposals that support small business owners desire to expand and succeed. Getting government out-of-the-way and allowing the private sector to grow is the most efficient and common-sense way to create jobs and decrease high unemployment numbers.
I will continue my work as Chairman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations identifying inefficient regulatory policy that restrains community banks and investors ultimately impacting customers through higher costs and fees.
Throughout 2011 investigations by my subcommittee have shown us that the issues with financial institutions such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will not go away by throwing more money and regulations at their problems. The only way to protect investors and their money from corruption and misrepresentation is to have transparency in the marketplace and efficient regulators in place.
My House Republican colleagues and I are also working to reduce spending and the deficit. The House passed a budget for FY2012 commonly referred to as the Path to Prosperity" which would cut $6.2 trillion of government
spending and reduce the national debt by $4.8 trillion over the next decade.
While this was not the FY2012 budget that was signed into law we will continue to offer proposals and solutions that will help job creators while cutting government spending.
Most importantly we must change the way government operates. We need to move away from spending too much money to spending money efficiently. Businesses shouldnt fear government looking over their shoulders instead we should be cutting the red tape that hinders them.
Instead of shipping American jobs and money to oil producing countries in the Middle East we must find ways to utilize the domestic resources we have right at our fingertips. Additionally the economy will benefit from having a tax code that encourages people to invest and save instead of borrow.
My goal is to eliminate duplicity empower the private sector and encourage individual self-governance and independence.
Ronald Reagan once said History is a river that may take us as it will. But we have the power to navigate to choose direction and make our passage together." At the beginning of 2012 I look back to our founding fathers whose vision for the United States created the greatest country on earth. Our children and grandchildren should have a vibrant future with every opportunity that we have had. Lets stop riding in the wagon and make the tough decisions that will get America back on the right path.
Activities In Texas
With Congress on recess from votes in Washington I am looking forward to quality time in Texas while attending several events in the 19th District. On Thursday I will tour the Hope Lodge in Lubbock. On Friday I will visit with city officials in Wolfforth.
Next week I will attend the grand opening of the new veterans affairs clinic in Abilene. This clinic will be about double the size of the current clinic in Abilene and will be able to treat even more veterans who need assistance. While in Abilene I will also tour Hendrick Medical Centers new surgical wing which will officially open on January 20 2012 and meet with hospital administrators there.
I am also looking forward to a visit to Dyess Air Force Base to meet with the new 317th Airlift Group Commander. Additionally with a Farm Bill on Congress agenda in 2012 I will be meeting with many agriculture producers to learn more about their concerns and priorities for this important
legislation.
Congressman Randy Neugebauer represents the 27 Texas Panhandle counties included in the 19th District of Texas. Since taking office June 5 2003 currently in his 5th term he serves as Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations and is also a member of both the House Agriculture Committee and the Science & Technology Committee.
