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Waco’s Chet Edwards on Financial Services Subcommittee
U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards’ office has sent out a news release about the Waco congressman’s new committee appointments. The release follows:
As the new session of the 111th Congress begins this week, U.S. Representative Chet Edwards has received a new committee appointment to the House Financial Services Appropriations Subcommittee. The subcommittee oversees funding for the nation’s financial services agencies including the U.S. Treasury Department, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the IRS among others. The committee will focus much of its initial efforts on overseeing the execution of the economic recovery legislation expected to pass Congress in the next month.
“As the new 111th Congress convenes, our highest priority has to be putting our economy on solid ground with passage of a responsible economic recovery plan, which has to be followed with strong oversight to protect taxpayers,” said Edwards. “This committee plays a key role in overseeing federal agencies, including the SEC and FTC, which have failed to do their job to protect our overall economy. Going forward, I intend to see that they fulfill their commitments to the American taxpayer.”
In light of the devastation to the financial services industry, Edwards believes this new role will help ensure taxpayer protections are in place on the economic recovery package as well as the Treasury Department’s Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP).
“I will also work hard to ensure that federal funds committed to stabilize the financial services industry are spent wisely, and if they are not, I intend to hold the Treasury Department, Wall Street banks, and their CEOs accountable,” said Edwards.
Edwards remains the Chairman of the powerful Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee. Edwards’ influential subcommittee has jurisdiction over the entire Department of Veterans Affairs, including benefits and health care, as well as the Pentagon’s military construction projects on all U.S. military installations throughout the world, including Fort Hood in Killeen.
“As the son of a World War II veteran, it is a privilege to chair this committee, and I will continue to fight aggressively for the soldiers and veterans who defend our nation,” said Edwards. “I will also continue my work to promote the Waco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, the Bryan-College Station Veterans Clinic, and ensure the new Fort Worth VA outpatient clinic remains on track to open in 2010.”
In the 110th Congress, Edwards authored an historic $16.3 billion increase in funding for veterans health care and benefits, a larger increase in two years than the previous 12 years combined in Congress.
Edwards also retains his seat as second-ranking Democrat on the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Chet Edwards, Politics
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By wlr
January 7, 2009 1:13 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
When is the Trib going to ask Edwards about the $4700 a year raise that all of congress got. I emailed him to ask why when all income levels of people are struggling that congress feels like they deserve a raise. This congress has allowed our borders to be invaded, gave a bailout to big banks without any oversight on where the money is going, and bailed out GM which is a lose / lose deal. Wish we could get real investigative reporting from Trib instead of them being the Chet Edwards cheerleading team.
By BDDH
January 7, 2009 5:38 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
Congratulations to Mr. Edwards. I’m sure he will do a great job. I remember another great Democratic Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Representative George H. Mahon of West Texas.
I have watched the different committees holding their budgets until they all have to be voted on in one big omnibus bill. I hope Mr. Edwards will insist that the committees submit their budgets in good order so each can be examined by those who have to vote. Having a 3000 page omnibus bill arrive on a Representative’s desk 24 to 72 hours before voting does not give time for close examination.
I propose that the Appropriations Committee set up a web site and REQUIRE that the budgets be posted for at least 72 hours before a vote so we, the voters, can examine them if we want. We want to see WHO is proposing WHAT before our Representatives vote. Yes, we know that their staff examine the bills, but we, the public, want to be able to do that, too.
If any proposals are added at the last minute, we also want to know what for and by whom.