HUDSON: It’s time to rein in big bureaucracy

President-elect Donald Trump speaks as he arrives for a meeting with the House GOP conference Nov. 13 in Washington, D.C.. From left are Reps. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), Steve Scalise (R-La.) and Tom Emmer (R-Minn.). (Alex Brandon / AP Photo)

Following the much-needed time with the ones we love during the Thanksgiving holiday, House Republicans returned to work for the American people last week and focused on how we can rein in unelected bureaucrats and bring fiscal responsibility back to Washington.

The federal government should be working for you, not against you.

Unfortunately, it has only gotten too bloated, too inefficient and taken too much of your money. From reckless government spending to burdensome regulations and unnecessary red tape, big bureaucracy has crippled Main Street, skyrocketed inflation and spiraled our country into a historic debt crisis.

America’s small businesses are too often saddled with unnecessary, one-size-fits-all regulations by the heavy hand of the government. These rules cost business owners trillions each year to stay compliant, and they don’t have the resources to keep pace with the ever-growing burdens. Federal agencies seem to ignore the reality and the harmful economic impact that these new regulations cause, which only further discourages small business growth, job creation and American innovation.

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and I will always work to ensure they can thrive and grow without the government getting in the way.

I was proud to join my colleagues last week in passing the Prove It Act, a common-sense, bipartisan solution to ensure business owners have a voice in the regulatory process. This legislation will protect Main Street from unelected bureaucrats’ overregulation that hinders so many folks from achieving the American dream of starting and owning a business.

Out-of-control, taxpayer-funded government spending and bureaucratic overreach have led to higher costs and unsustainable national debt. You, your family and our economy have paid the price for far too long.

With the creation of President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Republicans in Congress have a great opportunity to identify ways we can expose inefficiencies, cut wasteful spending, slash unnecessary regulations and reduce bloated bureaucracy.

My House Republican colleagues and I met with Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, who Trump appointed to lead DOGE. Working together with Trump and Senate Republicans, we will get our fiscal house in order, save your taxpayer dollars and make the government more efficient for you.

Folks like you are fed up with business-as-usual and voted for real reform in how Washington operates. Rest assured, as your congressman, I will fight tirelessly to deliver the change you deserve.

Richard Hudson represents North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District in Congress.