U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3) will question federal officials tomorrow about Operation Choke Point, Executive Branch attempts to shut down entire portions of the private sector based on what it deems to be morally unacceptable.

Luetkemeyer, a member of the House Financial Services Committee, will participate in the 9 a.m. CST (10 a.m. EST) hearing of the Financial Services Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee on July 15 in Washington. The Congressman has led the national charge against Operation Choke Point since learning the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) loaned examiners to the Justice Department (DOJ) in a hostile attempt to take down non-depository lenders despite the fact that they are legally-operating, licensed businesses.  

Late last month, Luetkemeyer filed legislation to ensure that existing laws are interpreted as intended, and that overzealous and inappropriate use of regulatory and enforcement tools are curbed. The legislation also intends to ensure that financial institutions have the security and ability to return to the business of offering products and services to a variety of industries including ammunition sales, fireworks sales and pharmaceutical sales. Luetkemeyer also successfully passed an amendment in the House that would cut off funding for Operation Choke Point for a year.

Scheduled witnesses at tomorrow’s hearing are: Stuart F. Delery, Assistant Attorney General, Department of Justice; Scott G. Alvarez, General Counsel, Federal Reserve Board; Richard J. Osterman, Acting General Counsel, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; and Daniel P. Stipano, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

“The notion that legal businesses not viewed favorably by this administration should be choked-off from the financial services they need to survive strikes at the very core of our free market system, and these officials will have a lot of explaining to do to the American people,” Luetkemeyer said. “It is time for this type of government blackmail and intimidation to end.”