WASHINGTON—Today, Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announced the creation of the Speaker’s Task Force on Intergovernmental Affairs, a bipartisan group of lawmakers focused on balancing the interests of federal, state, tribal, and local governments. Speaker Ryan released the following statement:
“Federalism is not a Republican or Democrat principle, but an American principle—and one that is integral to a thriving culture and economy. But in recent years, the principle of federalism has been slowly chipped away at by an overzealous federal government. Under Chairman Bishop’s leadership, the Task Force on Intergovernmental Affairs will study ways to restore the proper balance of power between the federal government and states, tribal, and local governments, and eliminate unnecessary regulatory burdens facing communities across the nation.”
MISSION
1. Partner with states, tribes, and local governments to balance the interests of governments
2. Provide a forum for states, cities, and counties to showcase their innovation and creativity in solving public policy problems
3. Examine the effects of federal rules and regulations on state and local partners
4. Develop proposals to partner with and empower states, tribes, local governments, private institutions, families and individuals
5. Examine the extent to which the burdens shared among states, tribes and local governments may be re-allocated to improve the quality of life in all communities
MEMBERSHIP
CHAIRMAN: Speaker’s Designee Rep. Rob Bishop (R-UT)
REPUBLICANS:
Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL)
Rep. Luke Messer (R-IN)
Rep. Mark Walker (R-NC)
Rep. John Culberson (R-TX)
Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY)
Rep. Jenniffer Gonzáles-Colón (R-PR)
DEMOCRATS:
Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA)
Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ)
Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA)
Rep. Norma Torres (D-CA)
Rep. Anthony Brown (D-MD)
Rep. Charlie Crist (D-FL)
ADVISORY COUNCIL TO THE TASK FORCE
National Association of Counties (NACo)
National Governors Association (NGA)
Council of State Governments (CSG)
National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)
National League of Cities (NLC)
U.S. Conference of Mayors
International City/County Management Association (ICMA)
