Ben McAdams

I hope that you all look for ways to push financial institutions to innovate, to try new data-driven projects while giving those institutions the certainty they need that innovation will be permitted under the CRA for credit.

In Utah's Fourth Congressional District, the need for investment in our infrastructure has never been more apparent.

Whether collecting green waste to break down and resell or capturing methane leakage for energy generation or landfill, technologies made our waste management greener, smarter, and less costly to taxpayers.

What I believe you are referring to is the need for smart growth and thoughtful city planning.

Housing is linked to jobs, is linked to a transportation infrastructure.

I do believe that the financial system has made a number of important changes since 2008.

I want my constituents to not be taxed, to not feel this pain in their monthly budgets.

The CRA has been an important tool in my district, at both serving the credit needs and driving investment to many of Utah's communities.

I think without question, Wells Fargo and its various actions have caused harm to hundreds of thousands and possibly millions of customers.

Whenever I talk to small businesses in my district, they always mention access to capital as one of the biggest hurdles in starting a business.

I think ultimately payday lending can quickly become a debt trap, and I don't think that the proposed rollback strikes the right balance between consumer protection and access to credit.

In general, I am a believer that capitalism with proper guardrails and direction can be a force for good.

Expanding access to credit certainly is important, but my question is, what role did consumer protection play in making that decision?

I remember the Great Recession, and I know, and remember, the pain so many Utah families suffered as they lost their homes.

I support a balanced budget amendment, because I think you have got to start with the premise of requirement to balance the budget.

I also support my fellow Representative Jim Cooper's 'No Budget, No Pay' legislation. Everyone in this country understands that if you don't do your job on time, you won't get paid.

It is morally reprehensible to saddle generations yet unborn with those bills.

I believe that our $22 trillion debt is a bipartisan problem.

We must have that conversation, and we must work until we find solutions to the harm that is caused by the debt.

The purpose of this hearing isn't about heroin or other illegal industries. This is about medical marijuana and the industry which 47 States have legalized to some degree.