WASHINGTON, DC . . . This week Congressman Ralph Hall (TX-04) voted in support of eleven bills promoting job creation and government accountability. The bills limit unnecessary regulations at federal agencies such as the IRS, and also call for increased transparency between the Administration and the American people by requiring federal agencies to provide cost-benefit analyses and greater access to government information.

“Across the 4th District, constituents continue to tell me their top priorities are job creation and getting the economy back on track,” stated Hall. “Jobs and the economy go hand in hand. That is why, with only 63% of Americans participating in the workforce, the economy continues to suffer and many American families are struggling to pay their bills. That is why I was pleased to support several bills this week that encourage much-needed job creation.”

“Overly burdensome and expensive federal regulations are some of the biggest obstacles preventing job creators from growing businesses and hiring new workers who desperately need jobs,” Hall continued. “The Administration’s lack of transparency and accountability at its federal agencies, coupled with overreaching regulations, create economic uncertainty that further prevents job creation. The bills passed by the House this week would give job creators the confidence and freedom they need to grow their businesses that in turn create opportunities for all Americans to prosper.” 

“While the government doesn’t create jobs, it does make policy decisions that encourage jobs and economic growth. I will continue to use my Committee positions and vote for legislation that matches the priorities of my constituents.”

Jobs/accountability bills passed by the House this week:

• HR 899, Unfunded Mandates Information and Transparency Act of 2013
  The bill expands and modifies the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act by requiring independent agencies to determine whether their proposed rules will impose unfunded mandates on the private sector or state and local governments. The bill also requires reviews by all agencies to determine the indirect costs of proposed rules, and for the agencies to conduct retrospective analyses of existing rules if requested by congressional leaders.
• HR 1123, Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act
  This bill repeals the Library of Congress' October 2012 decision regarding the "unlocking" of cell phones and codifies its 2006 and 2010 policies that allow unlocking — thereby requiring wireless carriers to disable cellphone software protections and allow the owners of mobile phones to connect to a different network after their contract expires.
• HR 1211, FOIA Oversight and Implementation Act of 2014
  This bill would modify the Freedom of Information Act to provide greater public access to government information. 
• HR 1232, The Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act
  This bill would modify how the federal government procures and manages information technology.
• HR 1423, Taxpayers Right-to-Know Act
  This bill requires federal agencies to annually provide information to the public on the programs they administer, including their cost and any duplication or overlap between programs — and, along with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), recommend how to consolidate duplicative programs, eliminate inefficiencies and terminate unnecessary, outdated or low-priority programs.
• HR 2530, Taxpayer Transparency and Efficient Audit Act
  This bill would require the IRS to inform taxpayers when it has shared the individual's tax information with another government agency.
• HR 2531, Protecting Taxpayers from Intrusive IRS Requests Act
  This bill prohibits the IRS from asking taxpayers questions regarding religious, political or social beliefs.
• HR 2804, All Economic Regulations Are Transparent Act of 2014
  The bill makes numerous changes to the federal rule-making process. It would require agencies to consider new criteria when issuing rules, such as alternatives to rules proposals and their potential costs and benefits. It would also require agencies to review the "indirect" costs of proposed and existing rules and file monthly reports on the status of their rule-making activities, which must be posted online. The bill also modifies the process used to develop consent decrees and settlement agreements to give affected third parties an opportunity to intervene in the process.
• HR 3193, Consumer Financial Protection and Soundness Improvement Act of 2013
  This bill modifies the structure and funding of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) by re-establishing it as an independent agency outside of the Federal Reserve in which the CFPB director is replaced with a five-member commission and the bureau is funded through the annual appropriations process. It also limits the salaries of bureau employees, and requires that the bureau obtain permission from consumers before collecting or using non-public personal information.
• HR 3308, Taxpayer Transparency Act of 2014
  (Co-sponsored by Rep. Hall)
  This bill requires federal agencies to disclose that advertisements they sponsor or materials they provide are paid for by federal taxes.
• HR 3865, Stop Targeting of Political Beliefs by the IRS Act of 2014
  (Co-sponsored by Rep. Hall)
  The bill blocks for one year the ability of the Treasury Department or IRS to modify regulations addressing the allowable political activities of tax-exempt 501(c)(4) organizations. The IRS in November proposed revisions that would bar such groups from voter registration efforts and get-out-the-vote drives shortly before elections, in an effort to clarify what activities constitute promotion of social welfare.

*Bill summaries by CQ House Action Reports

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