Randy’s Roundup

A Weekly Newsletter from Congressman Randy Neugebauer

March 28, 2011

Our Questions on Libya Answered…Hopefully

Tonight at 7:30pm ET, President Obama will address the nation about the United States’ involvement in Libya, a long overdue address that will hopefully answer the questions many of us have. The President should have been frank with the American people and Congress since day one. As Commander-in-Chief, he owes the American people an explanation and a plan to move forward.

My biggest concern regarding our involvement in Libya is understanding our goal. I hope the President outlines his plan for U.S. involvement in this conflict, illustrates why the actions taken so far were warranted, and his plan to work with our allies for the duration of this conflict.

We’re seeing civil unrest throughout the Middle East.  The desire for democracy is clear, the fatigue of tyranny evident. But until we know our own role in assisting in each country’s civil battles, we cannot afford to be policemen for everyone. I will always support the spread of democracy, an increasingly apparent necessity in the world, but our involvement in these civil wars must be carefully considered, and once our involvement is defined, we must be consistent across the board. I expect the President to address these issues tonight, and follow through in the execution of his plan.

The Economy-Hurting Dodd-Frank Act

This Wednesday, the Financial Services Oversight and Investigations subcommittee, of which I am the Chairman, will hold a hearing to examine the costs of implementing the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. I believe this bill, signed into law July 21, 2010, will stifle the strong capital markets we need to fuel economic growth and new jobs, expand the federal government, perpetuate bailouts and put the taxpayers at risk. Rather than address the problems of our financial system that we have all learned more about in the past two years, the Dodd-Frank Act will only create new problems that hurt small businesses, families and individuals who just want the federal government out of the way. The direct and indirect costs of Dodd-Frank have the potential to burden the already stressed U.S. economy, slow job growth and stall economic recovery.

My subcommittee will question the Honorable Jill Sommers, the Commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trade Commission, Douglas Elmendorf, the Director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), Jeffrey Lacker, the President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, and other prominent members of the finance community. As chairman of the Oversight subcommittee, I look forward to hearing their testimonies. You can watch a live feed of the hearing here on Wednesday March 30 at 1pm Central Time.

Question of the Week

“In light of the recent nuclear events in Japan, do you believe nuclear power is still a viable source of energy for the United States?”

Please visit my website to submit your answer to this week's question.

Thank you for your continuing responses to our “Question of the Week.” Here are the results from last week’s question:

“Do you support the recent use of military force by the United States to help the people of Libya?”

Yes – 32.8%?
No – 66.4%?
No Opinion – 0.9%

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As always, when events unfold in Washington, I will be sure to update you. In the meantime, do not hesitate to visit my website or call my office toll free district wide at (888) 763-1611 or my Washington, DC office at 202-225-4005.