Government Reform

Congressman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) made the following comments regarding his vote against H.R. 2048, the USA Freedom Act:

"The Constitution is clear: Before the government can get information on an American citizen they need a warrant. Several Members sought to amend the USA Freedom Act to ensure these protections. The amendment was rejected by the Rules Committee, even though last year the exact same language passed on the House floor with 293 votes. The USA Freedom Act fails to adequately protect Americans' Fourth Amendment rights, which is why I opposed it."

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Congressman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) co-chaired a hearing today on the scandal and corruption-plagued Export-Import Bank. The hearing, titled "Examining the Export-Import Bank's Mandates," was a joint hearing of Rep. Jordan's Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Health Care, Benefits and Administrative Rules and Michigan Rep. Bill Huizenga's Financial Services Subcommittee on Monetary Policy and Trade.

During the hearing, Rep. Jordan made the following comments:

Congressman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) will continue his focus on the scandal and corruption-plagued Export-Import Bank tomorrow when he co-chairs a joint subcommittee hearing focused on some of the bad investments and wasteful spending that the Bank has been involved in over the past few years.

The hearing, titled "Examining the Export-Import Bank's Mandates," will be held at 1 p.m. Eastern tomorrow in 2154 Rayburn House Office Building. Rep.

The House Freedom Caucus (HFC) today announced its opposition to the renewal of the Export- Import Bank's charter. HFC released the following statement:

"The House Freedom Caucus opposes reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank, and urges Republican leadership to not bring to the House floor any legislation that would do so. The Ex-Im Bank is the ‘bridge to nowhere' of corporate welfare, and is a classic example of crony capitalism. The Bank has failed to comply with reform requirements included in previous reauthorizations.

Congressman Jim Jordan (R-Urbana) made the following comments regarding several pieces of legislation that the U.S. House of Representatives passed today related to the IRS targeting of conservative non-profits in recent years:

"The IRS systematically targeted the First Amendment rights of the American people. The legislation we passed today will go a long way in making sure that such targeting never happens again.

During a question-and-answer period today in a hearing about the Export-Import Bank, Mike McCarthy, acting inspector general of the Ex-Im Bank, told Congressman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) that the Justice Department may indict individuals involved in 31 open investigations of corruption and fraud at the Ex-Im Bank ( VIDEO HERE ). This week, the Justice Department charged former Ex-Im Bank official Johnny Gutierrez with bribery for actions he took while employed at the Ex-Im Bank.

Congressman Jim Jordan (R-Urbana) made the following comments about the Justice Department's decision to not seek criminal contempt charges against former IRS official Lois Lerner:

"As one of his final acts as U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C., Ronald Machen used his power as a political weapon to undermine the rule of law. Mr. Machen was legally bound to convene a grand jury, but instead he ignored his obligation and unilaterally decided to ignore the will of the House of Representatives.

The House Freedom Caucus (HFC) has hired Steve Chartan to serve as its executive director.

Prior to joining HFC, Chartan was a policy advisor for the Senate Steering Committee under Chairman Mike Lee (R-UT), and previously Chairman Pat Toomey (R-PA). Before that he served as a legislative staffer in Senator Toomey's Washington, D.C. office. He graduated from Duke University.

Congressman Jim Jordan (R-OH), chairman of HFC, said: