Rep. Messer Joins Task Force to Reduce Size of Federal Gov’t, Empower States

The Task Force on Intergovernmental Affairs held its first hearing today

WASHINGTON (Thursday, June 22, 2017) — Rep. Luke Messer (IN-06) joined House Speaker Paul Ryan and a bipartisan group of 12 members of Congress today for the inaugural hearing of the Task Force on Intergovernmental Affairs. This group is tasked with reducing the size of the federal government and helping return power to the states.

Messer was appointed by Speaker Ryan to serve on the Task Force, alongside 12 other Congressional appointees.

“This is an exciting opportunity and an important mission,” Messer said after the hearing. “We can better empower the American people by bringing government down to the local level, and Indiana’s successes in this area will serve as a model for other states. The best government is closest to the people it serves.”

The Task Force will partner with state and local governments to help uncover federal abuses of power, and return control to state and local entities. The Task Force will also provide a forum for states, cities, and counties to showcase innovation and creativity in solving public policy problems.

“Federalism is a foundational principle of our Constitution, and Washington has so much to learn about how state and local leaders are driving innovation and responsive government,” Speaker Ryan said before today’s hearing. “There’s no question we can all work as better partners, and I want to thank Chairman Bishop and the bipartisan group of lawmakers who have stepped forward to join this effort.

Witnesses during today’s hearing included National Governors Association CEO & Executive Director Scott Pattison, National Association of Counties President & Leon County, FL Commissioner Bryan Desloge, Tennessee Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris and College Park, Maryland Mayor Patrick L. Wojahn.

Membership of the Task Force includes, Chairman Rep. Rob Bishop (R-UT), Rep. Luke Messer (R-IN), Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL), Rep. Mark Walker (R-NC), Rep. John Culberson (R-TX), Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY), Rep. Jenniffer Gonzáles-Colón (R-PR), Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA), Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Rep. Norma Torres (D-CA), Rep. Anthony Brown (D-MD) and Rep. Charlie Crist (D-FL)

A full video of today’s hearing can be found here. Messer’s remarks begin at the 18:30 mark.