U.S. Rep. Ratcliffe Delivers Strong Rebuke to Admin's Operation Choke Point Overreach

Press Release

In a special round of speeches aimed at highlighting the many executive overreaches of the current administration, U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe took to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to deliver a scathing rebuke to the administration for the politicizing and weaponizing of the federal bureaucracy against its political opponents. Operation Choke Point is an initiative established by the Department of Justice and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) that has been going after legitimate businesses such as ammunition manufacturers and gun shop owners that it does not agree with.

"Folks across the 4th District of Texas--in cities and towns like Denison, Sherman, Bonham, Paris, Texarkana, Sulphur Springs, Rockwall, Mount Vernon, Greenville and Commerce -- want to run their businesses and enjoy their freedoms without the fear of unwarranted persecution from a president that has clearly overstepped his authority, time and time again," said Ratcliffe.

"Many of the Texans I represent are deeply troubled and concerned about Operation Choke Point. They view this operation as a blunt weapon that targets and stigmatizes entire industries that the Obama administration dislikes, instead of an honest effort to get rid of actual, specific bad actors. When you weaponize your government to go after folks you don't like and target your political enemies, that's the way Third World governments operate -- not the greatest county the world has ever seen," added Ratcliffe.

In a hearing last month, Rep. Ratcliffe questioned Department of Justice Officials on whether they had sent any additional Operation Choke Point subpoenas since last year's Congressional hearing. The official said none had been sent, however, many Americans still state they are being targeted through backdoor channels.

"Congressional oversight demands that we refuse to step aside and let this unprovoked attack on our rights be ignored. I will continue to stand watch against this overreach. My colleagues and I will not allow our constituents' rights to be violated and our Constitution to be trampled."

Source