Oversight and Government Reform

By Peter Sullivan The conservative Republican Study Committee (RSC) on Friday submitted its recommendations for a Republican replacement for ObamaCare as it seeks to shape a plan being formed by a group of House chairmen. The recommendations come from the RSC’s already-existing legislation, the American Health Care Reform Act, which would completely repeal ObamaCare and replace it with a new system. “This bill relies on conservative principles and increased state flexibility to transform our top... Read more

This week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed six bills aimed at increasing accountability at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Congressman Bill Flores (R-Texas) issued the following statement regarding the passage of these bills: “The IRS has lost the trust of the American people. The agency’s lack of accountability is evidenced by its politically based attacks on conservative organizations like the Waco Tea Party, sending out millions of dollars of potentially fraudulent tax refunds, p... Read more

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed H.R. 2666, the No Rate Regulation of Broadband Internet Access Act. Congressman Bill Flores (R-Texas) issued the following statement regarding its passage: “Hardworking American families are tired of the government overreach coming from out-of-control Washington bureaucrats. The FCC does not have the authority to regulate broadband internet rates. Today, the House took a stand to maintain innovation and keep bureaucrats out of internet rate regulation... Read more

By: Naomi Jagoda Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) said Thursday that the Internal Revenue Service "is the most feared federal agency in the country." "I wish I could say 'Happy Tax Day,' to you, but there really isn't anything good or happy about it," Hatch said at a press conference hosted by Americans for Tax Reform (ATR). The event came several days before the April 18 tax-filing deadline. Hatch called the process of filing taxes an "onerous annual chore." He added that ... Read more

By: Alex Gangitano Lawmakers and a live pig in an American flag hat joined forces on Wednesday to expose pork-barrel spending in this year’s Congressional Pig Book. This year is the 24th edition of the Citizens Against Government Waste’s book, which documents spending on questionable projects that lawmakers inserted into the budget. The release is especially timely due to the attempts to restore earmarks from both sides of the aisle, according to the organization. “The American people don’t beli... Read more

The Republican Study Committee isn’t the newest conservative caucus on the congressional block. But it’s the oldest, it’s still the biggest, and on occasion, its members will throw their weight around on Capitol Hill. The new executive director of the caucus, Scott Parkinson, wants the RSC to use that political clout to build policy consensus among House Republicans. A veteran Senate staffer, he says that’s the only way the GOP ever can outmaneuver President Barack Obama and Senate Democrats. “R... Read more

{Edited to exclude political commentary} By Phillip Ericksen U.S. Rep. Bill Flores, R-Bryan, spoke about foreign policy, budget issues and other topics at a town hall meeting at University High School on Monday night.. ...The anger and concern of the attendees Monday related to national security, and the majority said the Islamic State is a major threat to the United States. Immigration and federal spending were the second- and third-biggest topics for them, respectively. “This is the No. 1 issu... Read more

By: Jake Walker U.S. Rep. Bill Flores says he backs Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and his decision not to consider a Supreme Court nominee in the last year of Barack Obama's presidency. It's the president's duty, as stated in the Constitution, to nominate a Supreme Court justice if a position is vacated either by a justice retiring or dying in office. It's the Senate's duty to advise the president and give its consent by approving or voting down the nominee. Obama nominated a potential ... Read more

U.S. Representative Bill Flores (R-Texas) issued the following statement regarding the passage of H. Res. 639, which authorizes the House to file an official amicus brief in the Supreme Court case of United States v. Texas: “The U.S. Constitution clearly states that the legislative branch is responsible for writing laws; not the president or the unelected bureaucrats of the executive branch. The House is filing this amicus brief to defend the Constitution from the executive overreach that has be... Read more

U.S. Representative Bill Flores (R-Texas) issued the following statement in response to the president’s State of the Union address: “If President Obama listened to hardworking Americans as much as he lectures them, tonight’s State of the Union speech might have actually reflected reality. Instead, the president took an unearned victory lap, once again ignoring the true concerns and priorities of the American people. “Many Americans feel less secure and less satisfied with the direction of this c... Read more