Reducing the Size of the Federal Bureaucracy

Cutting Waste and Inefficiency in Federal Government Agencies:
From time to time, when there is a short legislative week – as this one was – I will be including brief overviews of legislation I am authoring or co-sponsoring.

It has been a long time since there has been a serious inventory of how and where federal money is being wasted. I have co-sponsored H.R. 393 “Federal Sunset Act” (authored by Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX)) which establishes the Federal Agency Sunset Commission. The Commission would submit to Congress at least once every 12 years a report on each and every federal agency. The report would contain a review of the inefficiency in each agency, assess the public need for the agency, and make recommendations for the abolishment or reorganization of each agency. The Commission would also report on all legislation that would create a new agency or a new program in an existing agency with respect to its necessity and efficiency or lack thereof. It would require the abolishment of any agency within a year of the review, unless it is reorganized by Congress. It also directs the Comptroller General, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Director, and the Congressional Research Service (CRS) Director to prepare an inventory of the federal programs within each agency for the purpose of advising and assisting Congress and the Commission in carrying out the requirements of this Act.

Congress Must Tighten Belt by Rejecting Automatic Pay Increases

Let the Belt Tightening Begin:
The American people are rightly concerned, apart from any stimulus that Congress may pass, that its representatives are not exercising them same discretion when it comes to the growth of the budget vis-à-vis congressional pay raises. For this reason, I have joined a bipartisan group of over 100 of my colleagues and co-sponsored H.R. 156 “Stop the Congressional Pay Raise Act” (authored by Rep. Harry Mitchell (D-AZ)) which would prevent Senators and Congressmen from receiving any automatic pay adjustment in 2010. I also co-sponsored H.R. 395 “Stop the Congressional COLA Act” (authored by Rep. Dan Burton (R-IN)) which would have a similar effect. I do believe it is important, however, that future pay raises or adjustments should not be automatic and should be subject to a recorded vote. H.R. 215 “Congressional Pay reform Act” (authored by Rep. Joe Wilson (D-SC)), which I am con-sponsoring, insures this. All three bills have been referred to the committee of jurisdiction. When they are brought to the floor, I intend to vote in favor of them.

This week’s votes on the floor, hearings, and markups

Each week I get the opportunity to represent you in Congress by: 1) voting on legislation that comes to the House floor; and 2) participating in committee hearings and markups for the Committee on Financial Services. 

Key House Floor Votes

“No” to Delaying DTV Transition:
On Wednesday, February 4th, I opposed S. 352, “DTV Delay Act.” The legislation, which passed 264-158, may present many more problems than it addresses. Legislation mandating the transition from analog to digital was enacted 3 years ago and we knew then as we know now that not every problem would be worked out by a date certain. The costs of waiting, in my opinion, outweigh the benefits considering the small number of households unprepared for the transition. The delay will likely cause additional confusion as well as increase costs for broadcasters, hinder broadband deployment, and invite litigation. Furthermore, S. 352 will not remove any customers from the wait list for converter box coupons. In fact, of the original $1.5 billion appropriated for DTV coupons, only half has been redeemed while the other half remains in circulation, leading to the wait list we now have for the coupons. By extending the transition date from February 17th to June 12th and extending the deadline for consumer coupons to July 31st from March 31st, some estimate U.S. TV stations will face hundreds of millions of dollars in additional electric bills. Foremost in my reasoning for opposing the delay is that it will prohibit the further development of public safety communications capabilities. After 9-11, one of the biggest weaknesses discovered in our homeland security capabilities was the ability for our first responders to communicate effectively in a crisis. The solution was to move TV signals from analog to digital, therefore freeing up a big chunk of the analog spectrum for use by first responders. First responders from around the country have been waiting for years for this enhanced capability. Further delay, without much upside, only weakens coordination efforts.

Committee on Financial Services

Bank Liquidity and the Housing Crisis:
On Tuesday, February 3rd, the Committee on Financial Services held a hearing entitled, “Promoting Bank Liquidity and Lending Through Deposit Insurance, Hope for Homeowners, and other Enhancements.” Among the panelists were: John Bovenzi, Deputy to the Chairman and COO, FDIC; Meg Burns, Director of the Office of Single Family Program development, U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development; Edward Yingling, President and CEO, American Bankers Association; Michael Menzies, Sr., President and CEO, Easton Bank and Trust Company (on behalf of The Independent Community Bankers of America); John Taylor, President and Chief Executive, National Community Reinvestment Coalition; John Courson, President and CEO, Mortgage Bankers Association; and Michael Calhoun, President and COO, Center for Responsible Lending. The primary purpose of this hearing was to gather information in advance of consideration of legislation dealing with bank liquidity and the housing market crisis. Panelists discussed a proposal to permanently increase FDIC insurance to $250,000 to strengthen the banking system and prevent bank runs that may threaten their stability. Several witnesses also spoke of their concern of the competitive disadvantage smaller community banks face in the TARP program compared to much larger institutions. We also looked at the Hope for Homeowners program which was included as part of the Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac bill, which I opposed, in July; thus far, however, it has been a failure. Only 25 new loans have been made even though proponents of this program claimed it would provide relief to 400,000 new borrowers. Moving forward, I plan to support legislation that rewards responsible behavior, protects the taxpayers, and provides a path to recovery in our housing markets.

This week in history

In 1870, the 15th Amendment to the Constitution is ratified, prohibiting the denial of a U.S. citizen of the right to vote on the basis of race.

In 1913, the 16th Amendment to the Constitution is ratified, allowing the federal government to levy an income tax.

In 1974, the F-16 Fighting Falcon flies for the first time.

In 2004, Facebook is founded.
 

I am honored to represent the 24th District of Texas, and appreciate your interest in my e-newsletter.  Please contact my District or DC office with any further questions you may have or visit my website at www.marchant.house.gov.