Issue Position: Reining In Regulation

Issue Position

As I talk to folks across central and eastern Kentucky, I am constantly reminded of the negative impact government overreach has on economic innovation. That's why since arriving in Congress, I have fought to create a more business friendly environment that encourages job creation and economic recovery.

However, President Obama and Washington liberals have inundated Kentucky's job creators with unnecessary, burdensome regulations.

One of the first bills I cosponsored is the REINS Act. This piece of legislation requires congressional approval of any proposed regulation with an economic impact of $100 million or more. In addition, it requires a cost-benefit analysis, describing how a proposed regulation would affect jobs.

Washington liberals oppose the REINS Act because it would take away their ability to legislate through regulation by taking the power away from unaccountable, unelected Washington bureaucrats. I will continue fighting for this legislation because it will provide much needed accountability to Washington and it will protect many jobs in the process.

PROTECTING KENTUCKIANS FROM GOVERNMENT OVERREACH

The Valley View Ferry has served the citizens of central Kentucky since 1785. But in recent years federal overreach has caused this ferry service to reduce its hours of operation and face the possibility of closing for good, all because the federal government decided to meddle in local affairs about which they have no understanding.

I introduced legislation, H.R. 2570, The Valley View Ferry Preservation Act of 2013 to save the Valley View Ferry by removing unnecessary regulations from unaccountable federal regulators and returning this power to the state. Not only is this essential to preserve the existence of this ferry, but also important to many small businesses and to the more than 200 cars that are transported by the Valley View Ferry every day.

Perhaps no federal government overreach has been more egregious than the Consumer Protection Bureau's decision that Bath County, Kentucky is not a rural county. The result of this blatant disregard of reality has resulted in burdensome regulations being placed on community banks, making it more difficult for individuals and businesses to access capital. This has an extreme trickle-down effect, costing jobs and tax revenue.

Bath County is one of the most rural counties in the United States. But the federal governments failure to see reality has the potential to devastate the residents of Bath County. I am fighting the federal regulators on this and will continue to do so until this issue is resolved.

Obamacare is the most blatant example of federal overreach in modern history. The federal government is intervening in the most personal areas of life, healthcare. It is simply unacceptable to allow unelected bureaucrats to come between you and your doctor. And it is equally unacceptable for the federal government to require you to choose between purchasing health insurance or paying a fine for failing to do so. I have voted for the full repeal of this law and will continue doing everything within my power to push-back against this massive federal overreach and seek common sense healthcare reforms that allow you to remain in charge of your healthcare.

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