The Hill Report: Week of September 5 - 9, 2016
At the beginning of this week we celebrated the engine of our communities and the spirit of our economy the American worker. The hard working men and women in our country have propelled our nation forward with the idea that success can be achieved through opportunities and hard work. However, this cornerstone of the American Dream has been gravely threatened by the onerous and unnecessary regulations forced upon every sector of our economy by this administration. We must take a stand against this continued assault on our free enterprise system and work to promote job creation and economic growth.
That is why I proudly joined my colleagues in supporting H.R. 2357, Accelerating Access to Capital Act of 2015 and H.R. 5424, Investment Advisers Modernization Act of 2016. These two important measures modernize and reform antiquated regulatory burdens on the financial sector that have hindered access to capital for new businesses and stifled job creation. American workers and American businesses deserve more, and House Republicans are working to get our country back on track and protect the American Dream.
Stopping Midnight Regulations
This morning I joined House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet Subcommittee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif) in introducing legislation to halt the implementation of high-cost or politically-driven regulations during the last days and months of the Obama administration. American families and job creators have paid a significant price for this Administration’s aggressive regulatory agenda. House Republicans have proposed a number of critical reforms to return sanity and balance to the way regulations are written and implemented. Without exception, these reforms have been largely rejected by this Administration. Now our economy faces an even greater threat - regulations issued at the end of this Administration that, based on historical trends, will be the product of political expediency rather than economic benefit and careful analysis.
We have a responsibility to the American people to ensure the Obama Administration cannot further cripple our economy by pushing through costly and political regulations at the last hour of their occupancy of the White House without reasonable and responsible oversight. To learn more about our bill, H.R. 5982, the Midnight Rules Relief Act, click here.
Meetings in Washington
Border Health Caucus
I had the distinct opportunity this week to meet with physicians from the Border Health Caucus and a medical student at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso. They were able to convey their concerns with the upcoming MACRA implementation and how it will negatively affect small and independent practices. It is for this reason I led an effort in Congress to send CMS a letter requesting a delay in implementation. I am pleased to stand on the side of these physicians and the patients they serve.
Congressman Sessions with Jake Wilson a medical student at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in El Paso
SABRE Roundtable
This week I had the opportunity to join a number of Members of Congress including Texas Chairmen Lamar Smith and Michael McCaul for a hands-on demonstration of the latest in travel technology with the experts from Sabrethe leading technology provider to the global travel and tourism industry, and a great Texas company. I had the opportunity to see the many ways Sabre’s innovative technology improves and optimizes the travel experience for its industry partners and for their customers. Airlines, airports, hotels, cruise lines, rental cars and trains all over the world rely on Sabre, as do the Texas men and women they employ.
Congressman Sessions participating in the SABRE demonstration
Shomron Regional Council in Israel
On Wednesday, I met with Yossi Dagan, Chairman of the Shomron Regional Council Municipal Government to discuss my strong support for our friend and ally, Israel. The United States has a long history of standing with the people and government of Israel and throughout my time in Congress I have continually and consistently supported Israel. As the leader of one of the largest Israeli regional council's in the West Bank, Chairman Dagan has also worked tirelessly to promote Israeli - US ties and our strategic partnership. As your Member of Congress, please know that I will continue to work to ensure that the United States remains committed to the security of the Israeli people.
Congressman Sessions with Yossi Dagan and Ariel Schnabel
Property Casualty Insurers Association of America
I was pleased to welcome the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America to my office this week to discuss H.R. 5143, the Transparent Insurance Standards Act. This important legislation was introduced after months of congressional hearings and discussions on the development of international insurance standards. I was proud to join U.S. Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) as an original cosponsor of H.R. 5143 to increase transparency and strengthen Congress’ role in supervising foreign standards setting organizations. This legislation establishes a framework that must be followed before U.S. representatives to the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) are permitted to consent to the adoption of any international insurance standard. The legislation would require the Federal Reserve and the Department of Treasury to publish a proposed standard in the Federal Register and allow for public comment. The United States state-based insurance marketplace puts policyholders first and we cannot allow international regulators to change that.