Financial Services Committee

            As a senior member of the Financial Services Committee, Congressman Kanjorski has been a leader in economic development issues, including improving the ability of small businesses and start-up technology companies to gain access to capital. His efforts to promote home ownership have earned him numerous awards, and his influence played a part in Sallie Mae's recent decision to maintain current staffing levels at its Wilkes-Barre center even as other centers were cut back or closed.

            Congressman Kanjorski helped to spearhead the successful effort in 2000 to pass President Clinton's New Markets Initiative, a package of legislation designed to create incentives to invest in economically distressed areas of the country. In 1999, Congressman Kanjorski joined the President for two cross-country tours of areas that will benefit from the passage of this legislation.

            Congressman Kanjorski was the lead Democratic sponsor of a 1998 law to preserve the right of consumers to join credit unions. Because of the strong opposition, the accomplishment has been called "a victory of David over Goliath."

Capital Markets Subcommittee

     In the 110th Congress, Congressman Kanjorski is the Chairman of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance and Government Sponsored Enterprises, which has jurisdiction over securities, exchanges, and insurance matters generally, except for health insurance.

     Congressman Kanjorski recently requested a Congressional Field Hearing at East Stroudsburg University so that Members of Congress could gather information about allegations of mortgage fraud for new homebuyers in the Poconos. More than 200 people attended the hearing, over which Congressman Kanjorski and Congressman Richard Baker (LA-5) resided.

     Congressman Kanjorski has made investor protection a top priority.  During the 107^th Congress, the corporate misdeeds at companies such as WorldCom and Enron challenged the credibility of our corporate financial reporting system.  Congressman Kanjorski played a key role in developing in negotiating the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the historic law that responded to these problems.  Among other things, this law is now working to restore business accountability, punish corporate wrongdoers, foster investor confidence, and protect workers' pensions.  In the 110^th Congress, Congressman Kanjorski continues to work on the Financial Services Committee to protect the interests of investors and promote financial literacy. 

Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

   Congressman Kanjorski is a member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, ranking fourth in seniority among 22 Democrats. He serves on two subcommittees: the Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization and Procurement and the Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census and National Archives. He has a strong record in leading efforts to streamline and improve the operations of government.