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February 12, 2015
Michigan Congressman Tim Walberg has re-introduced a package of bills intended to restrain the powers of government authorities to seize assets from citizens.
Walberg says too often, police use forfeiture powers as a revenue stream, rather than a crime-fighting tool.
Walberg cites the example of Terry Dehko, a longtime Michigan grocer, who had $35,000 in bank accounts frozen by the IRS because the agency suspected him of being a money launderer.
The only evidence the agency had was frequent deposits of cash into his accounts.
Walberg says too often, police use forfeiture powers as a revenue stream, rather than a crime-fighting tool.
Walberg cites the example of Terry Dehko, a longtime Michigan grocer, who had $35,000 in bank accounts frozen by the IRS because the agency suspected him of being a money launderer.
The only evidence the agency had was frequent deposits of cash into his accounts.
February 12, 2015
Reps. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) and Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.) introduced a bill on Wednesday that would require federal agencies to publicly report the costs of programs.
Walberg and Cooper said the measure, titled the "Taxpayers Right-To-Know Act," would help make agency spending more transparent.
"I hate when taxpayer money is wasted," Cooper said in a statement. "It's embarrassing that we even need this bill. Congress knows what it should cut. It just needs to do the job."
Issues:Workforce
February 12, 2015
The wave of opposition to the nation's civil asset forfeiture laws grew a little larger on Tuesday as advocacy groups spoke out in favor of legislative reforms supported by members of both political parties.
The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers sent a letter to every office on Capitol Hill, expressing support for proposals to stop police from seizing cash, cars and other property from people without compelling evidence of a crime.
The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers sent a letter to every office on Capitol Hill, expressing support for proposals to stop police from seizing cash, cars and other property from people without compelling evidence of a crime.
February 12, 2015
Attorney General Eric Holder's recent announcement that federal agencies would be cutting back on civil forfeitures was a welcome step, but it didn't go nearly far enough. That's why new legislation introduced last week by Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Mich., and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ken., deserves a close look.
Asset forfeitures arose as a way of going after bad guys involved in drug dealing, human trafficking or other criminal enterprises. Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies seize cash, luxury cars and other property of wrongdoers and pocket a good share of the proceeds.
Asset forfeitures arose as a way of going after bad guys involved in drug dealing, human trafficking or other criminal enterprises. Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies seize cash, luxury cars and other property of wrongdoers and pocket a good share of the proceeds.
February 11, 2015
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tim Walberg (MI-07) released the following statement today after voting to send the Keystone XL Pipeline Approval Act, which passed the Senate 62-36 on January 29, to President Obama's desk.
February 4, 2015
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Washington, D.C. – Representatives Tim Walberg (R-MI) and Dan Kildee (D-MI) introduced bipartisan legislation today to help students and families save money for higher education. H.R.
Issues:Education
February 3, 2015
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tim Walberg released the following statement today after voting for H.R. 596 to repeal the President's health care law.
Issues:Health Care
January 30, 2015
By Sen. Rand Paul and Rep. Tim Walberg
There are many reasons why the Internal Revenue Service is perhaps the least-loved agency in America -- a tax code so complex that it seems like you need an advanced degree to understand it, the dreaded audit process and revelations that certain groups have been targeted based on their political beliefs.
There are many reasons why the Internal Revenue Service is perhaps the least-loved agency in America -- a tax code so complex that it seems like you need an advanced degree to understand it, the dreaded audit process and revelations that certain groups have been targeted based on their political beliefs.
January 30, 2015
The new Congress is less than one month old, and President Obama has already issued eight veto threats, including before some legislation even received an up or down vote.
That number represents the most threats to start a new Congress since 1985 when the practice of issuing formal veto threats began.
The history-making doesn't stop there. President Obama also made more specific veto threats in his recent State of the Union address than any such address since World War II.
That number represents the most threats to start a new Congress since 1985 when the practice of issuing formal veto threats began.
The history-making doesn't stop there. President Obama also made more specific veto threats in his recent State of the Union address than any such address since World War II.
Issues:Jobs and Economy
January 28, 2015
Washington, D.C. – Congressmen Tim Walberg (R-MI) and Jim Cooper (D-TN) introduced today H.R. 598, the Taxpayers Right-To-Know Act, bipartisan legislation requiring each federal agency to produce an annual report that identifies every program with a description of the program and its costs. Senator James Lankford (R-OK) is introducing companion legislation in the Senate.
Issues:Workforce