Alabama Republican Liberty Caucus

Congressman Bobby Bright’s response to HR1207 request

At this moment, each Alabama Republican congressman is now listed as a cosponsor of HR1207, commonly known as the “Audit the Fed” bill. To date, not a single Alabama Democrat wants an open and transparent Federal Reserve process. Long-time Alabama conservative leader John Killian wrote a blog entry entitled “Will Alabama’s Shelby Kill Plan to Audit the Fed?” This article prompted activist Don Seibold to send a letter to his representative, Congressman Bobby Bright.

“I urged Bright to sign on as a co-sponsor of Congressman Ron Paul’s HR 1207 which would require that the Federal Reserve, a private institution that has more power over our nation’s economy than any other institution, be audited,” wrote Seibold in an e-mail to me.

Here is Bright’s response:

“Thank you for contacting me with your views on the Federal Reserve Transparency Act. I appreciate your comments and I welcome this opportunity to share my thoughts.

I believe that our federal government has a responsibility to be transparent and accountable, especially during a time where so many are concerned about the spending deficit. Unfortunately, Congress has recently passed legislation that ignores budget deficits and lacks sufficient fiscal responsibility. For example, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the President’s Fiscal Year 2010 budget took important steps to jumpstart the economy and fund neglected programs, but ultimately incorporated excessive and unnecessary spending. I voted against these bills because I am committed to developing a comprehensive plan that addresses our troubled economy while maintaining vital mandatory and discretionary programs at appropriate levels.

I feel strongly that it should be a priority for Congress to exercise fiscal responsibility. The first thing I did when I came to Congress was join the Blue Dog Coalition because they support measures to implement pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) rules. PAYGO is a provision that would require spending for new government programs to include offsetting cuts in other programs. While I realize many expenditures provide valuable resources to worthwhile endeavors, some spending authorized by Congress could be prioritized more appropriately.

Though I opposed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the Fiscal Year 2010 Budget, I truly believe Congress must demand transparency and accountability within the federal government to ensure that these funds are spent wisely. Congressman Ron Paul of Texas has introduced several bills that would require the federal government to operate openly and with more oversight. Specifically, he introduced the Federal Reserve Transparency Act, H.R. 1207, on February 26, 2009. This legislation would change the way the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System is audited by the Comptroller General of the United States. It also directs the Comptroller General to complete, before the end of 2010, an audit of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and of the Federal Reserve banks, followed by a detailed report to Congress. This legislation would change the way audits are reported by requiring a copy to be provided to any Member of Congress before the end of the 90-day period beginning on the date when the report is finished. I believe these are steps in the right direction to provide more accountability and transparency to the American people.

Currently, H.R. 1207 is before the House Committee on Financial Services. Please be assured I will monitor this legislation and keep your views in mind if it comes to the House floor for a vote.

Again, thank you for contacting me. I appreciate your thoughts and value your input. Please do not hesitate to contact me or my office regarding this or any other matter that is important to you. If you would like to learn more about my positions on the issues or receive regular updates on what we are working on in Congress, please visit my website at www.bright.house.gov and sign up for my e-Newsletter.

Sincerely,

Bobby Bright
Member of Congress

We’d like to know why Bright didn’t directly address Seibold’s direct question. It was a simple request for him to cosponsor a bill which 200 other congressman already have. Our question for the Congressman is quite simple: Will you, or will you not, cosponsor HR1217?