Politics: Graves elected to House Republican Steering Committee, Loudermilk joins other lawmakers to launch ‘Article I Project’

Media release: Rep. Tom Graves (R-GA-14) was elected by acclamation to the powerful House Republican Steering Committee, a 35-member committee that determines members’ committee assignments and selects committee chairmen. Rep. Graves replaces Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (R-GA-3) as the Region 8 representative on the Steering Committee. Region 8 consists of Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina. Rep. Westmoreland chose to resign from the Steering Committee following his announcement that he would retire at the end of the 114th Congress.

“It’s an honor to be elected to the Steering Committee and a privilege to represent our region’s interests,” said Rep. Graves. “I’m grateful to Lynn Westmoreland for his friendship and leadership, and I intend to be a strong voice for Georgia and the region just as he has been for many years. This is an exciting time to be a Republican, and I will work to steer our conference in the direction of bold conservative ideas.”

Loudermilk and other Conservative lawmakers to launch Article I Project: Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA) has joined with a select group of conservative lawmakers to restore the Constitutional authority and limitations of Congress. Next Wednesday, February 3, Loudermilk will join Sen. Mike Lee, and others, to announce the launch of the Article I Project.

The Article I Project is inspired by the desire to bring a bold, pro-active agenda to Congress that will restore the separation of powers and help reclaim Congress’s Constitutional role as the sole lawmaking body. A special launch presentation will be Feb. 3 at 8 a.m. in Washington, D.C.

“The President is not a lawmaker-in-chief, despite how desperately he wants to be,” said Rep. Loudermilk. “Our Founders understood that government, when not properly constrained, would become corrupt and no longer represent the interests of the people. That is why they disseminated the powers of the federal government between three independent branches. Congress was given the majority of authority because they are the closest to the people, and directly accountable. However, over time Congress has abdicated that authority allowing for an unfettered growth of government, which has resulted in the rise of a fourth branch, the regulatory agencies.

“Through this coalition of Conservative members of the House and Senate, we are reclaiming the Article I powers of the Constitution. Through a series of legislative initiatives, our goal is to restore Constitutional government, reclaim the power of the purse, reduce the impact regulatory agencies and bureaucrats have on the American people, and restore a nation ‘of the people, by the people and for the people.’

“My office has been focusing on ending the era of big regulation, eliminating our crippling debt, and reigning in the runaway executive branch. I am excited to be part of the Article I Project and our vision of restoring a nation that is free, safe and full of opportunity.”