RAWA Co-Author Could be Two Heartbeats Away From Becoming President

The Campaign for Liberty, a grassroots advocacy organization founded by Dr. Ron Paul, a former Republican U.S. Congressman, in 2008, suggests that Utah Representative Jason Chaffetz could be detrimental to the House if chosen to succeed outgoing Speaker of the House, John Boehner.

The Speaker position, which is two heartbeats away from the President should anything happen to both the Commander-in-Chief and his Vice President, is now up for grabs with Boehner announcing his resignation two weeks ago.  Chaffetz, who co-authored online gambling prohibition this year, has announced his plans to campaign for that seat.

In response to that decision, the Campaign For Liberty issued the following statement:

“Today, Campaign for Liberty responded to Rep. Jason Chaffetz’s run to implement his pro-tax, anti-growth policies from the Speaker’s chair. Chaffetz, is the sponsor of the so-called “Remote Transaction Parity Act.” This legislation would turn federalism on its head by allowing states to force online retailers to collect and remit sales taxes for the over 9,700 tax jurisdictions in the country.

“Additionally, Chaffetz is the sponsor of the “Restoration of America’s Wire Act.” This legislation would institute a federal ban on online gambling and trample on the United States Constitution, which leaves the states with the authority to regulate matters not specifically given to the federal government.

“‘Handing the Speaker’s gavel to the lead sponsor of two bills that would expand government’s control of the Internet to benefit special interests would show the American people that Congress still does not understand. Americans are simply fed up with crony capitalism and further infringements on their liberty,” said Campaign for Liberty Senior Vice President Norm Singleton.

“‘Whether it’s his attack on small online retailers or his sponsorship of the iGaming Ban, one has to wonder; why does Jason Chaffetz hate the Internet? As one of the last sectors of the economy with little government interference, it’s vital we protect this freedom, and that clearly can’t be done with Jason Chaffetz in the Speaker’s chair.”

“‘But it’s not just the legislation he’s sponsored that’s the problem. This Congress, Chaffetz hasn’t bothered to cosponsor Audit the Fed, H.R. 24. Despite it being cosponsored by 184 members of the House, Chaffetz has shown no sign he’s interested in marking up the legislation in the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee he currently chairs.”

“Audit the Fed would eliminate existing restrictions on the GAO’s audit ability over the Federal Reserve System to allow Congress, and the American people, to understand what the Fed is doing to our money. Similar legislation has passed the House three times since 2009, most recently in September 2014, by a vote of 333 - 92. “

- Gilbert Horowitz, gambling911.com