Government Accountability & Transparency

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 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 Member of the House Judiciary Committee, I continue to conduct aggressive oversight over the Department of Justice, the Federal Communications Commission, and many other government agencies, including continuing to investigate the ludicrous Operation Fast and Furious, during which the Department of Justice allowed firearms to “walk” across the U.S.-Mexico border into the hands of drug cartels and other dangerous criminals.  These guns were subsequently used by criminals to kill civilians and at least one U.S. Border Patrol agent.

• I support H.Res. 532, which calls for an independent investigation of Attorney General Holder’s handling of Operation Fast and Furious.

• I support the new House rules that require posting of all bills on the Internet three days prior to votes on the House Floor, so that American citizens have an opportunity to read and comment on legislation before the House votes on a bill.

• I support the Federal Reserve Transparency Act (H.R. 459), which shines light on the Federal Reserve System by auditing and requiring a detailed report to Congress of the Federal Reserve Banks and the Federal Reserve Board.

• I continue to aggressively seek input from residents of the Sixth District on issues facing our nation.  I work hard to make it as easy as possible for my constituents to communicate their ideas with me. I conduct numerous telephone town hall meetings, as well as live town hall meetings, all across the Sixth District and also routinely send surveys to request ideas from constituents. These efforts have reached hundreds of thousands of my constituents, and I continue to invite citizens of the Sixth District to visit my website and leave me a message with their ideas.  If you would like to send me such a message, please click here.