Image Credit: Americans for Prosperity – Tennessee / Facebook
The Tennessee Conservative [By Kelly M. Jackson] –
This past Friday, January 21st, the Tennessee Chapter of Americans For Prosperity welcomed freshman Congressman Andy Ogles to The Bold Patriot Brewing Company in Nashville for a town hall style gathering after his first 2 weeks in Congress. And quite the first two weeks they were.
After a few brief comments and a short introduction, Congressman Ogles wasted no time jumping into the issues and taking audience questions.
Many topics were covered in the Q&A session which lasted about 45 minutes.
The freshman congressman emphasized that this congress will have a distinct advantage over the past several, in that the rules package “The Patriot 20” fought for will make a transformative difference in how bills are debated and passed through the legislative process. Specifically mentioned, was the new rule that will allow for every representative to have 72 hours to actually read a piece of legislation before being compelled to debate it or vote on it.
Another rule Congressman Ogles featured in the new changes made, was “germaneness on a piece of legislation” will mean that items unrelated to what the focus of a spending bill is, will not be allowed. He gave the example, “if there is a piece of legislation for spending on roads or something, you can’t attach a red-herring gun bill that infringes on your rights.. it has to do with that piece of legislation” a comment that received much applause.
Congressman Ogles communicated that while there would be a lot of good legislation that would come out of this new congress, the anticipation is that it will “die a painful death in the Senate, and what does get through (to The President’s Desk) will be vetoed” but that what this congress is endeavoring to do is frame a narrative for 2024 and be “bold” with a “plan for the future”.
Ogles continued, stressing that the key to repairing the economy such as it is, is energy independence, “hands down”. The goal is to utilize the natural resources we already have access to or can create through building an infrastructure that doesn’t rely on materials from other countries. Ogles argued that a conversion to “green energy” would make us dangerously vulnerable to reliance on countries like China, who currently corners the market for the materials necessary to completely move away from carbon-based forms of energy.
Congressman Ogles reported that he has been selected to serve on The Financial Services Committee, and in addition has been asked to serve on House Education and Workforce Committee, an appointment which he has yet to accept, but intimated that he is much inclined to serve there.
Some of the other highlights from the evening’s discussion were Ogles comments on his determination to “fight like hell” to get ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) out of our banking system, and that it would be a top priority for congress in this new session. Congressman Ogles said the committee is “more focused on the institutions that move and house the money, versus the allocation to various agencies.” Specifically mentioned by Congressman Ogles, “The Fed, The Securities and Exchange Commission, like all your banks and all the other stuff…” The ultimate goal with this approach is to rid our financial institutions of polices that seek ultimate control, destroying specific industries, and limit business opportunities in a once free open market economy.
At the end of the session, Congressman Ogles responded to questions about the overreach of government agencies to impose themselves on the everyday lives of Americans. Ogles said that we can expect investigations and the issuance of “subpoena, after subpoena, after subpoena” to uncover what he characterized as “the weaponization of The United States Government” against its citizens.
Ogles committed to the crowd that he intends to do his job in representing his constituents and their best interests. If that means engaging in occasional “gridlock” in order to protect the hard-earned tax dollars of Tennesseans, then that is what he is prepared to do.
About the Author: Kelly Jackson is a recent escapee from corporate America, and a California refugee to Tennessee. Christ follower, Wife and Mom of three amazing teenagers. She has a BA in Comm from Point Loma Nazarene University, and has a background in law enforcement and human resources. Since the summer of 2020, she has spent any and all free time in the trenches with local grassroots orgs, including Mom’s for Liberty Williamson County and Tennessee Stands as a core member. Outspoken advocate for parents rights, medical freedom, and individual liberty.
