Financial Services Appropriations Bill Encourages Job Growth and Helps Small Businesses

WASHINGTON— Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) released the following statement after the passage of the FY15 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill. Diaz-Balart is Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government.

"By thoughtfully reducing wasteful spending on ineffective and inadequate agencies like the International Revenue Service, this bill is able to provide funds for programs that encourage job growth and help small businesses, like the Small Business Administration. Scandal after scandal continues to emerge from the IRS, and we must make sure that the agency's abuse and political targeting practices are finally put to an end. The bill also includes a provision that would put the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) under the jurisdiction of the Appropriations Committee so that Congress and the American people can have oversight over the agency instead of allowing it to frivolously spend money. A provision included to eliminate surplus properties and consolidate space will reduce the General Services Administration's (GSA) unnecessary and unused properties. Requiring agencies like the IRS, the CFPB, and the GSA to extensively record and report their spending allows for diligent oversight to avoid mismanagement and squandering by corrupt senior officials.

"I congratulate Chairman Crenshaw on his leadership in this bill's passage and thank him for working with me on the many priorities in this bill that will greatly impact our constituents in Florida."