Randy Neugebauer Supports Separation of Powers Restoration Act

by Eric

randynHouse Passes the Conscience Protection Act 
I was proud to vote for S. 304, the Conscience Protection Act, when it passed the House last week. This legislation protects health care providers, churches, and other religious entities from being coerced to perform or provide abortion services if it violates their conscience. No one should be forced to participate in ending the life of an unborn child against his or her will. As this bill goes back to the Senate, I urge my colleagues to act swiftly to ensure that this protection is in place.

Reining in Unchecked Rulemaking 
There are far too many examples of executive branch agencies creating rules that have the force of law without the accountability that should go along with it. Last week, the House of Representatives sought to rein in this unchecked power by passing the Separation of Powers Restoration Act (SOPRA). SOPRA would repeal the “Chevron deference,” which says that courts should usually defer to executive branch agencies when a dispute arises about how to interpret a law. I do not believe we should grant federal bureaucrats the benefit of the doubt in these instances. I am happy to support SOPRA as another check on the executive branch.

Hearings on the Intersection of Finance and Technology 
Last week, two of the committees I am on held hearings about the intersection of technology and our financial system. In the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, we questioned two Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) officials about recent data security breaches at the agency. The FDIC is charged with safeguarding our banks. To do so, they need access to some controlled information, but their ability to keep that information secure has been called into question by their slow response to several reported data breaches.

I also convened a hearing of the subcommittee I chair, the Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit Subcommittee, on innovations in financial technology, which is commonly referred to as “fintech.” In the hearing, we examined the development of online marketplace lending, looking closely at the opportunities and challenges it presents. Marketplace lending is different from going to the bank and filling out paperwork – most of these loans have a different set of decision-making criteria. These unique lending models can be appealing to consumers, but also open up questions about how the emerging “fintech” industry will be regulated. I believe it is important to understand a business and what existing laws already apply to it before considering any further regulatory action, which is why I convened this hearing.

Violence at Home and Abroad 
Once again, the world has been hit hard with violent attacks. From the terror attack in Nice, France to the attack on police in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, this past week has been another that weighs heavy on the heart. Dana and I are praying not only for the families of the fallen and for those who were injured, but we are also praying fervently for an end to this kind of extreme violence.

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