Tag: Rep Scott Garrett

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Scott Garrett Gets “Told You So” Moment on Iran Nuke Deal ,Calls on President Obama to Address Iran Missile Tests

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Dec 8, 2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Scott Garrett (NJ-05), issued the following statement after Iran violated U.N. security council resolutions by testing ballistic missiles:

“Despite the opposition of the American people and the majority of Congress, President Obama signed a dangerous nuclear deal with Iran. As predicted by myself and my colleagues, we have seen little-to-no change in Iran’s behavior as they continue to break international agreements. Yesterday, we learned that the Iranian regime tested a ballistic missile—the second they’ve tested since the deal was signed. This clearly violates U.N. security council resolutions, including the same U.N. resolution that endorsed the Iran deal. In addition to these tests, a recent IAEA report found that Iran has pursued nuclear weapons as recently as 2009.

“The administration cannot sit idly by as Iran continues to violate international agreements, and I call on them to take these violations seriously. It’s obvious that Iran has ambitions to create nuclear weapons, and therefore the United States should continue the economic sanctions that successfully brought this tyrannical regime to the negotiating table.  The safety and security of the United States and its allies is my top priority, and I will continue to fight to keep nuclear weapons out of Iran.”

In July Garrett said , “As I’ve said since the beginning of these negotiations, any agreement that allows Iran to acquire, build, or proliferate nuclear weapons—now or in the future—is a threat to the United States and its allies. The Iranian regime has done nothing to prove that it has earned the trust or respect of the international community, and therefore should not be rewarded with good faith gestures or sanctions relief.

“With this deal, a timetable is set where Iran can organize, increase military capabilities, raise funds, and prepare for deadlines where they will be able to acquire ballistic weapons and continue their nuclear proliferation. This could create a nuclear arms race in the Middle East and further destabilize an increasingly volatile region. Congress must ensure the terrorist state of Iran never has a chance to threaten the world with nuclear weapons.”

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Scott Garrett: “New Jersey residents deserve to have their tax dollars spent on transportation and infrastructure projects right here in the Garden State instead of being wasted in Washington, D.C.”

Rep Scott Garrett rail car safety

Garrett Statement on Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act

Dec 3, 2015
the staff of theRidgewood blog

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Scott Garrett (NJ-05), issued the following statement after voting against the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act:

“New Jersey residents deserve to have their tax dollars spent on transportation and infrastructure projects right here in the Garden State instead of being wasted in Washington, D.C. Unfortunately, the FAST Act is full of budgetary gimmicks that will ensure another round of taxpayer-funded bailouts when what we really need are substantive reforms that put our transportation funding on a sustainable fiscal path. The reason Americans have spent $143 billion on bailouts over the last seven years is money set aside in the Highway Trust Fund—the tax you pay at the pump—has been wasted on projects that are unrelated to roads and bridges.

“And if the bailouts aren’t bad enough, the FAST Act also includes provisions to resurrect the most shameless example of crony capitalism Washington has ever concocted—the Export-Import Bank. Overall, I believe New Jersey deserves better, which is why I will continue to fight to end bailouts, end special treatment for Washington insiders, and ensure that my constituents can see their transportation dollars being spent closer to home.”

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Rep Scott Garrett: Why we must bolster refugee screening

scott garrett Temple Emanu-El of Closter, NJ

file photo Scott Garrett at Temple Emanu-El of Closter, NJ

NOVEMBER 22, 2015    LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2015, 1:21 AM
BY SCOTT GARRETT
THE RECORD

We live in an imperfect world and there is no room for error when ensuring that incoming refugees are not a terrorist threat.

Scott Garrett, R-Wantage, represents New Jersey’s Fifth Congressional District.

RECENT ATTACKS in Paris, Mali and Beirut are horrific reminders that terrorist organizations are increasingly aggressive in their campaigns to spread death and chaos. From 2013 to 2014, deaths related to terrorism around the world have increased by 80 percent. As we mourn these senseless losses of life, we must adapt to new security threats.

Officials report that at least one of the terrorists in Paris traveled to the country by impersonating a refugee. We also know that President Obama has set the overall refugee ceiling at 85,000 total people and announced that the administration will admit 10,000 Syrian refugees over the coming year. The United States is faced with a delicate balancing act between protecting our country against those who wish us harm and ensuring that we support people who are fleeing tyranny and bloodshed in Syria.

We live in an imperfect world and there is no room for error when ensuring that incoming refugees are not a terrorist threat. Immediately following the attacks on Paris, ISIS made threats to our country — specifically targeting New York City and Washington, D.C. — that cannot be ignored. The House of Representatives is examining this national security issue, and many top officials have expressed their concerns about the vetting process.

Enhanced risks

Last month, FBI Director James Comey acknowledged that there are enhanced risks associated with bringing people to our country from conflict zones such as Syria. He said, “There is risk associated with bringing anybody in from the outside, but especially from a conflict zone like [Syria]. My concern there [about bringing Syrian refugees into the United States] is that there are certain gaps I don’t want to talk about publicly in the data available to us.”

Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson echoed Comey’s sentiment when he said, “It is true that we are not going to know a whole lot about the Syrians that come forth in this process … we know that organizations like ISIL might like to exploit this [Syrian refugee resettlement] program … the bad news is that there is no risk-free process.”

Obviously, we must reexamine our refugee program.

Safety and security

My top priority is the safety and security of the American people, and the attacks on Paris are a stark reminder that our enemies are willing to go to great lengths to commit acts of terror. Last week the House voted to fortify our refugee program by requiring supplemental certification and background investigations prior to admissions of refugees.

The bill would require the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security and the Director of National Intelligence to unanimously certify through background investigations that a refugee is not a security threat. The bill also requires that DHS submit a monthly report to Congress on the number of refugees that are being certified, and those that are denied certification.

As Secretary Johnson and Director Comey alluded to, vetting refugees is a difficult process. One of the biggest problems when vetting refugees from Syria is our lack of diplomatic ties with their country, which means we have limited access to law enforcement information and pertinent documents. This problem is compounded by the fact that the Syrian government is in shambles and the information can be unreliable, incomplete and sometimes non-existent.

I’ve heard from countless constituents who are concerned that the United States will continue our refugee program without taking a moment to question our practices and implement safeguards to protect our country.

https://www.northjersey.com/community-news/town-government/quarterly-finance-report-audit-results-are-discussed-1.1459453

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Rep. Scott Garrett , “My top priority is the safety and security of the American people”

Scott Garrett Parkway Elementary School in Paramus

Rep. Scott Garrett enjoyed his recent visit to Parkway Elementary School in Paramus to discuss his job as a Congressman with the 4th grade class. As you can see by the picture, they had a lot of great questions!

Rep. Scott Garrett , “My top priority is the safety and security of the American people”Garrett Statement on the American SAFE Act

Nov 19, 2015

Ridgewood NJ, Rep. Scott Garrett (NJ-05) issued the following statement after voting in support of H.R. 4038, the American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act.

“My top priority is the safety and security of the American people, and last week’s horrific attacks on Paris are a stark reminder that our enemies are willing to impersonate refugees and go to great lengths to commit acts of terror. Today the House voted to pause our refugee program until we can fully examine our vetting process to ensure that every refugee admitted to the United States does not pose a threat to our nation. The Syrian people seeking refuge need the continued support of the international community, and we must continue to work on a balance between helping these people and our national security.  The United States is, and will continue to be, a world leader in humanitarian aid operations, and those who are suffering from unspeakable horrors at the hands of oppressors will always have our support while we work diligently to advance policies that protect our country.”

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CSX railroad to discuss pedestrian tunnels with Haworth after Congressman Scott Garrett’s Inspection

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whats in those tanker cars ?

NOVEMBER 6, 2015, 10:44 PM    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2015, 10:45 PM
BY SCOTT FALLON
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

HAWORTH — CSX engineers will meet this month with town officials to discuss the condition of two pedestrian tunnels under the company’s rail line that have become a concern now that millions of gallons of crude oil pass through the town on trains, Mayor John Smart said Friday.

Smart had been trying for months to get inspection reports on the condition of the Crocker Place and Park Street Playground tunnels, but a federal loophole in railroad regulations prevented him from getting any meaningful information. Smart said he recently secured a meeting with CSX executives and hopes to meet with them regularly.

Officials from Teaneck to Harrington Park have often complained that CSX, which operates the largest rail system in the eastern U.S., has been slow to address local concerns since railroads are regulated almost exclusively by the federal government.

Bogota officials famously issued a summons in 1999 to a CSX train for disturbing the peace by idling noisily even though railroads are exempt from municipal ordinances under federal interstate commerce law.

They say Florida-based CSX should be more responsive especially now that 15 to 30 trains, each carrying as much as 3.6 million gallons of volatile Bakken crude oil, pass through 11 towns each week on the company’s River Line. The oil has been involved in several fiery derailments across North America in recent years.

In Bergen County, the trains pass thousands of homes and businesses on their way to a Philadelphia refinery. They cross dozens of small bridges, some of which appear pristine and others that are heavily rusted with cracked foundations.

Among them are the two pedestrian tunnels in Haworth, one of which has cracked and crumbling concrete just under the railbed, and the other near the playground.

Smart was unable to get inspection reports because railroads are not required to submit them to their primary regulator, the Federal Railroad Administration, unless the FRA asks for them.

A spokesman for CSX said this summer that the tunnels were inspected in January and deemed safe, but would not make inspection reports public.

“Those tracks are inspected visually several times weekly, and are subjected several times annually to internal, ultrasound inspections and examination with a geometry car that measures physical characteristics to affirm compliance with engineering specifications,” Rob Doolittle, a CSX spokesman, said this week.

On Friday, Rep. Scott Garrett toured the Haworth site as well as a section of the rail line that goes over the Oradell Reservoir. Last month, Garrett called on the FRA to obtain inspection reports on all spans through the region and share them with local officials. He said Friday he is still waiting for them.

“I want to see what [CSX] thinks of the chipping concrete here,” the Wantage Republican said. “Is it something that lasts six months, six years? I’m no expert. That’s why we need those reports.”

 

https://www.northjersey.com/news/csx-railroad-to-discuss-pedestrian-tunnels-with-haworth-1.1450561

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Congressman: Fed’s Rate Policy ‘Absolutely’ Helps the Obama Administration

mother goose

House Republicans frustrated Obama hasn’t appointed vice chair of supervision for Fed

BY: Ali Meyer
November 5, 2015 4:35 pm

The Federal Reserve’s zero-interest rate policy “absolutely” helps the Obama administration, Rep. Sean Duffy (R., Wis.) told the Washington Free Beacon on Wednesday.

“Whether that’s the sole intent, I can’t get in the mind of Chair Yellen,” Duffy said. “Does it help the Obama administration? Absolutely.”

“But monetary policy only goes so far,” he said. “At some point we have to get the fiscal policy right and we get stopped at every turn when we try to reform our tax code with this administration. It definitely has a benefit, but I don’t know if that’s the sole intent of Ms. Yellen.”

The House Financial Services Committee, on which Duffy serves, discussed at a hearing Wednesday the Fed’s lack of a vice chair of supervision. This position was created by the Dodd-Frank Act to keep the Federal Reserve accountable to Congress, and it has been more than 1,900days since President Obama has been required to appoint someone to fill it.

By keeping interest rates near zero, the Federal Reserve allows the government to continue to finance its debt without worrying about paying high interest on that debt. “The ultra-low interest rates on Treasury debt, with the three-month T-Bill rate now at zero, have allowed the federal government to act as if deficit financing is a free lunch,” explains James Dorn, a fellow specializing in monetary policy at the Cato Institute.

“It’s certainly propping up part of the economy,” said Rep. Scott Garrett (R., N.J.). “And that was the testimony of Secretary Lew and [Chair] Yellen, saying that we see higher prices in the commodities and also on the street as well. And to the extent that this endures to the benefit of this administration, that they’re able to say as they did yesterday in the hearing that things are just going well in the economy and people are profitable – sure.”

https://freebeacon.com/issues/congressman-feds-rate-policy-absolutely-helps-the-obama-administration/

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Rep Scott Garrett bill to pushes for transparency and accountability for Financial Stability Oversight Council

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“This complete lack of transparency and accountability is an affront to anyone who believes that government should operate as a fair and open servant to the American people “,  Scott Garrett

Garrett Bill to Shed Light on FSOC Passes Committee Activities 
Nov 4, 2015

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Scott Garrett (NJ-05), Chairman of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets and Government-Sponsored Enterprises, issued the following statement after the Financial Services Committee passed his bill, H.R. 3557, the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) Transparency and Accountability Act:

“The Financial Stability Oversight Council is a powerful government body created by Dodd-Frank that holds closed-door meetings, refuses to publish substantive transcripts, and stonewalls requests from Congress when we need more information about its operations. This complete lack of transparency and accountability is an affront to anyone who believes that government should operate as a fair and open servant to the American people. With the committee passage of my bill, the FSOC Transparency and Accountability Act, the American people are one step closer to seeing behind the shroud of this secretive and unaccountable government body.”

The FSOC Transparency and Accountability Act would:

  • Subject the FSOC to the Government in the Sunshine Act
  • Subject the FSOC to the Federal Advisory Committee Act
  • At all FSOC meetings, allow for the participation of all members of the Commissions and Boards represented
  • Require that any vote taken by the principal of a Commission or Board represented must first be taken by that Commission or Board and the principal must then in turn vote that same decision at the Council
  • Allow for Members of Congress on the Congressional oversight committees of FSOC to be able to attend all FSOC meetings
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Garrett Fights to Restore Due Process Rights for All American Investors

scott garrett

Scott Garrett with Franklin Lakes residents at their annual town fair.
Oct 22, 2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Scott Garrett (NJ-05), Chairman of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets and Government-Sponsored Enterprises, today introduced H.R. 3798, the Due Process Restoration Act. This legislation will rein-in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) controversial overuse of in-house administrative law judges (ALJs) and ensure that all Americans are given due process by allowing defendants the option of having their case heard before a federal court.

“Strong enforcement of the securities laws is an essential part of the SEC’s mission to protect investors and maintain a fair and efficient marketplace, but in recent years the agency has transformed into a veritable judge, jury, and executioner with its blatant overuse of their in-house courts,” said Garrett. “Every American has the constitutional right to defend themselves before a fair and impartial court, and the Due Process Restoration Act will go a long way towards protecting the rights of the innocent while maintaining the ability of the SEC to punish wrongdoers.”

The Due Process Restoration Act will:

Provide a mandatory right of removal allowing the defendant to request that the case be moved to a district court
Grant a right of removal to defendants who are subject to a cease and desist order and monetary penalty that the commission is seeking
Raise the burden of proof for cases that remain in the ALJ to a higher “clear and convincing evidence” standard

Background:

In the wake of the 2010 Dodd-Frank Act, which granted the SEC expanded administrative enforcement powers, the SEC started trying an increasing number of alleged wrongdoers before its in-house administrative panels rather than in the federal courts established by Article III of the Constitution.

The Wall Street Journal reported that from October 2010 through March of this year, the SEC won 90 percent of cases that came before SEC judges.  In contrast, the SEC achieved less than a 70 percent outcome when the case is held in federal court. In addition to its success rate, the overall number of cases before the Commission’s in-house panels has increased nearly 75 percent over the past ten years.

The SEC has heard repeated criticism of these in-house panels from defendants who feel they weren’t given due process, former SEC judges who felt pressure to rule in favor of the Commission, and U.S. District Judges who find the panels unconstitutional.

The Commission recently announced that it will be giving more legal safeguards to defendants that come before its in-house administrative panels. Unfortunately, the SEC’s proposed changes fall well short of addressing many of these concerns and its enforcement practices continue to violate the separation of powers guaranteed by the Constitution.

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Houses of worship in Northwest Bergen open doors to Syrian refugees

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OCTOBER 15, 2015    LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY RODRIGO TORREJON
STAFF WRITER |
FRANKLIN LAKES – OAKLAND SUBURBAN NEWS

Oakland — When leaving home and traveling to an unknown land, there often are myriad reasons why. Freedom. Opportunity. Even survival.

For Sandy Khabbazeh, it was all of the above. Leaving her home in Aleppo, Syria, and her parents and older brother was by no means an easy decision, but it had to be made.

“I would consider myself a strong person because I had a lot of difficulty when I got here,” said Khabbazeh at a panel discussion on the Syrian refugee crisis, held at Ponds Reformed Church on Oct. 6.

The panel discussion was organized so area residents could hear firsthand the dangers and difficulties of being a refugee. Its goals were to elicit their feelings about the crisis and ascertain what they and the government could do to help the refugees.

Khabbazeh is one of the estimated 9.5 million Syrians who have been displaced by the civil war that broke out in 2011. As many as 6.5 million remain internally displaced. Arriving in 2014 on a student visa, Khabbazeh is being hosted by Rev. Nathan S. Busker of Pond’s Church, who moderated the discussion.

“It was about a year ago this month that Sandy knocked on the side door here, where our offices are located, and asked just to come in and pray,” recounted Busker. “From that moment, we began to befriend Sandy and get to know her. In January, she moved in with my family and she’s been there since.”

Upon hearing Khabbazeh and Busker’s story, religious leaders such as Minister Nolan Psalma of Upper Ridgewood Community Church, Imam Mahmoud Hamza of the Muslim Society of Ridgewood and Imam Mohammad Moutaz Charaf of the Elzahara Education Foundation in Midland Park expressed solidarity across religious lines and hoped to help housing refugees through their respective clergies just as Busker has.

The church leaders looked to panelist Robert Pettet, district director for Rep. Scott Garrett (R-5th District), for answers on ways they and their clergies could help, citing the government roadblocks often faced in the sponsorship process.

“If there are folks that come here and are brought here in more than one sponsorship where there’s a group of individuals, it’s not the government’s responsibility, is it?” said Pettet. “It’s ours. Because we are the people.”

While most agreed with personal accountability, no direct answers on the individual sponsorship procedure were offered. Pettet acknowledged his own lack of preparation and emphasized community accountability for the issue. Residents and church leaders pressed the issue, reiterating that their churches are already willing to help.

“I agree with that 100 percent, but if the government doesn’t allow refugees to come, we cannot help,” said Psalma.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/world/houses-of-worship-open-doors-to-refugees-who-come-knocking-1.1432771

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Revolution: “I’m not too concerned about the thoughts and opinions of opinion writers in newspapers these days. I’m worried about the opinion of our grassroots, our voters, our activists, those who are watching us”…

storm the bastille

 storm the Bastille

“I’m not too concerned about the thoughts and opinions of opinion writers in newspapers these days. I’m worried about the opinion of our grassroots, our voters, our activists, those who are watching us, “ Sean Spicer, top strategist for the Republican National Committee (RNC)

Top GOP strategist: House leadership turmoil ‘a good thing’

By Mike Lillis

A leader of the GOP’s campaign arm is defending the current upheaval among House Republicans, saying the turbulent search to replace outgoing Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) will ultimately benefit the party.

“There’s a lot of discussion going on as far as the direction, the vision that our party wants to go and who [is] the best person to lead it. You’ve seen it both in the presidential cycle, in terms of the number of candidates that we have up there and the competition that’s going on, and frankly now you’re seeing it in the House,” Sean Spicer, top strategist for the Republican National Committee (RNC), told CNN Saturday.

“I believe this is a good thing. It’s good for the party to go through these discussions, to have different people put their ideas and their vision out there, and for the best person to win.”

Spicer acknowledged that picking leaders is “not always the prettiest” process, but he rejected the notion that the party is at war with itself and dismissed the charges of Republican “chaos”and “dysfunction” as fantasies of the media.

“I’m not too concerned about the thoughts and opinions of opinion writers in newspapers these days. I’m worried about the opinion of our grassroots, our voters, our activists, those who are watching us,” Spicer said.

He noted that a string of recent victories have given Republicans control over most state houses across the country, and he highlighted the fact that the GOP’s House majority is the largest since the Hoover administration.

“So, as a party, we’re doing pretty well when you look at the actual number [of] wins that we’re getting,” Spicer said.

https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/256591-top-gop-strategist-house-division-a-good-thing

 

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Speaker race to dominate Sunday shows

chaffetzjason_100815gn

By Bradford Richardson – 10/10/15 01:08 PM EDT

Guests on the Sunday talk shows will try to shed some light on a bizarre week in Congress, as several Republican House members make the rounds to discuss the chaotic race for Speaker.

Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), who announced a bid for the Speaker’s gavel last Sunday, joins ABC’s “This Week” to discuss House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s (R-Calif.) sudden departure from the race and the conference’s shaky leadership situation.

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), chairman of the conservative Freedom Caucus, who has beenfloated as a potential Speaker despite repeated assurances that he will not run, joins “Fox News Sunday” to weigh in on the race.

Former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.), who said he is open to a return to the House’s top job if he can get the votes, will also make an appearance on the Fox News program.

Rep. Mick Mulvaney (R-S.C.), a founding member of the Freedom Caucus and a prominent critic of outgoing Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), joins CBS’s “Face the Nation” to give his take on who should take up the gavel.

GOP Reps. Charlie Dent (Pa.), a centrist, and Dave Brat (Va.), the Freedom Caucus member who bested previous Majority Leader Eric Cantor in a GOP primary, will headline NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

Also discussing the pandemonium over the Speaker race are Republican Reps. Raul Labrador (Idaho) and Tom Cole (Okla.), who will each appear on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

Several candidates from the Republican and Democratic primaries will also make appearances, as the latter group prepares for their first debate on Tuesday.

https://thehill.com/homenews/sunday-talk-shows/256590-speaker-race-to-dominate-sunday-shows

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N.J.’s Garrett on House GOP chaos: Blame the Senate

080516 shuttle garrett

By Jonathan D. Salant | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

WASHINGTON — The House Freedom Caucus, a group of conservative lawmakers co-founded by U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett, is seen as the political force that helped bring down House Speaker John Boehner,convinced House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy to give up his quest to be Speaker and brought the federal government close to its second shutdown in three years.

Speaking publicly for the first time since Boehner’s resignation, the New Jersey lawmaker said the 60-vote threshold for legislation in the other chamber is preventing Congress from doing its job.

“Why can’t Congress get things done?” Garrett (R-5th Dist.) told reporters outside the House chambers on Friday. “Even though Republicans are in charge of the Senate, we still need a half-dozen votes to move legislation,” referring to the six Democratic votes needed to reach 60.

https://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/10/njs_garrett_senate_rules_hinder_gop_actions.html

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Garret Demands Federal Railroad Administration share information on safety for trains carrying crude oil through district

Tanker Train

October 09,2015

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ , According Rep Scott Garrett  , “This week in Bergen County we saw a train derailment. While thankfully there were no injuries or environmental damage, it’s obvious that we need to know that the train lines carrying hazardous materials through our towns are safe and reliable. Today I requested that the Federal Railroad Administration share information about the safety condition of train tracks and infrastructure carrying crude oil through New Jersey’s Fifth District.”

Furthermore Rep. Scott Garrett (NJ-05) today called upon Sarah Feinberg, Acting Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), to share information about the safety condition of train tracks and infrastructure carrying crude oil through New Jersey’s Fifth District. The letter asks FRA to acquire the most recent inspection reports from CSX and Norfolk Southern Railway and establish a time for the Congressman and local officials to review the reports.

“Just this week in Bergen County we saw a train derailment,” said Garrett. “While thankfully there were no injuries or environmental damage, it’s obvious that we need to know that the train lines carrying hazardous materials through our towns are safe and reliable.”

Specifically, Garrett requested the following information for the time period covering January 1, 2013 to the present as it relates to rail infrastructure within the Fifth District of New Jersey:

All safety inspection reports currently in the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) possession
Any recommendations made to the rail industry to improve the condition of the rail infrastructure
Any findings of structurally deficient rail infrastructure
The schedule of future FRA safety inspections
Notices from the rail industry on scheduled maintenance and infrastructure upgrades

“We have a right to know if the rail infrastructure in our communities meets or exceeds safety standards and, if it does not, what action is being taken to address any deficiencies,” wrote Garrett in the letter. “This is information that my constituents should not have to wait long to receive.”

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Rep. Scott Garrett’s Freedom Caucus key to choice of New Speaker of the House

Scott Garrett

Jennings column: Garrett’s caucus key to choice of Boehner’s successor

Posted: Oct 03, 2015 11:04 PM EDTUpdated: Oct 03, 2015 11:04 PM EDT

By ROB JENNINGS

[email protected]

The first Sussex County resident elected to Congress in 90 years could be getting a seat at the head table as Republicans choose the next Speaker of the House.

That is compelling from a local perspective, whether or not one is a fan of U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett of Wantage.

Garrett, true to form, has been circumspect on the maneuvering to replace Speaker John Boehner.

The election to succeed Boehner is scheduled for Thursday. Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, the frontrunner, met Oct. 1 with some members of the House Freedom Caucus, CNN reported.

Garrett is one of the nine founding members of the caucus. It was launched by hardline conservatives in January soon after a failed effort, backed by Garrett, to oust Boehner.

Garrett is the only caucus founder from the Northeast, which generally elects Republicans less conservative than elsewhere. The caucus does not disclose a roster, but several published reports place its membership at about 40.

The CNN report did not say whether Garrett attended the meeting with McCarthy. His office did not respond Friday to a request for comment.

Assuming members vote as a block, the caucus will have considerable influence on Thursday’s votes for speaker and majority leader.

The next speaker — still likely to be McCarthy, despite his monumental gaffe last week in implying that damaging Hillary Clinton’s presidential prospects was a motive of the Benghazi investigation — will need a majority of the House members showing up to vote.

With the 435-member House consisting of 247 Republicans, “no” votes on McCarthy from more than 29 could force a second round of voting, sort of the House equivalent of a brokered presidential convention.

A deep enough divide among Republicans could give Democrats the ability to determine which Republican gets to be the next speaker — an unacceptable scenario for the majority party.

The only other announced candidate is Florida Rep. Daniel Webster, who got Garrett’s vote when he challenged Boehner in January.

Garrett, as of Saturday morning, had not endorsed a candidate.

 

https://www.njherald.com/story/30180152/2015/10/03/jennings-column-garretts-caucus-key-to-choice-of-boehners-successor

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Rep Scott Garrett Questions Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on Auto Dealer Sub Prime Lending

scott-garrett

House lawmakers pepper Cordray over dealer reserve

Wednesday, Sep. 30, 2015, 11:59 AM UPDATED 11:28 AM

By Nick Zulovich
Editor

WASHINGTON, D.C. –

Two of U.S. House membesr who are two of staunchest defenders of dealers and how the indirect auto financing model currently operates — one that still includes dealer reserve — peppered the director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau who made his semiannual appearance before the Financial Services Committee on Tuesday.

Like many of his fellow lawmakers, Rep. Scott Garrett referenced a series of recent reports from American Banker recapping internal memos and other documents about the CFPB’s use of disparate impact to generate a “tipping point” enforcement action that might discontinue the practice of dealer participation altogether.

The New Jersey lawmaker then directly asked CFPB director Richard Cordray, “Are you working to eliminate dealer reserves?”

Cordray replied with, “We have been working to try to address a practice that we believe is discriminatory, discretionary markups.”

He added that the CFPB is out “not necessarily to eliminate,” dealer participation. “We had an enforcement action (Monday) in which it would limit dealer reserve, not eliminate it. And we think that might be a fair way to try to address the issue,” Cordray went on to say.

What Cordray referenced was the CFPB enforcement action against Fifth Third Bank, which included a mandate to cap dealer markup at either 1.25 percent or 1 percent depending on the length of the vehicle installment contract.

During a back-and-forth exchange between Garrett and Cordray that had each individual interrupt each other multiple times, the House lawmaker insisted he was asking these questions because “dealers are on the front lines of making these loans.”

Cordray replied with how the Dodd-Frank Act was written that created the CFPB four years ago.

“We have authority in the statute. It doesn’t exempt the auto industry. It exempts auto dealers. It doesn’t exempt auto lenders. We have a responsibility to address auto lenders. We understand we are exempted from addressing auto dealers,” Cordray said.

“Congress drew the statute. I didn’t draw it. I have to live with it. It exempts auto dealers, but gives us responsibility over auto lenders. I’m not sure that makes a lot of sense, but we’re trying our best to observe the lines that Congress drew,” he continued.

“It’s a funny provision in the statute. I’m not sure it’s very logical,” Cordray added.

Before Garrett’s time for questioning expired, Cordray also told the lawmaker that vehicle financing is “made by the auto lender. The auto lender controls the auto lending program.”

And with institutions such as Fifth Third Bank as well as American Honda Finance now restricted on how much dealer markup is allowed, Garrett also questioned whether the CFPB understands the implications on dealerships and their ability to generate revenue by these enforcement actions.

“What I would say is this,” Cordray said, “As we do our work … it does effect auto dealers. I would agree with you on that. That’s why the provision is not very logical.”

Finally, Garrett tried to get Cordray to acknowledge the CFPB’s actions are increasing the consumer costs of making a vehicle purchase based on a wide array of studies from the American Financial Services Association, the National Automobile Dealers Association and other organizations.

https://www.autoremarketing.com/subprime/house-lawmakers-pepper-cordray-over-dealer-reserve