36 MARCH / APRIL 2023 Congressional Update Houchin named to House Financial Services Committee Rep. Houchin is a member of the U.S. House Financial Services Committee. Rep. Erin Houchin Indiana’s 9th District U.S. Congress CONGRESSIONAL UPDATE Growing up in the small town that I still call home, I knew early on the challenges my neighbors and friends faced, and what was needed to ensure their success. My dad always told me I could grow up to be anything, but to always stay true to my small-town roots. He was a dentist in Scottsburg, although what he loved more than being a dentist was bettering the community he cared about through his work. As Hoosier bankers, most of you share the same mission of helping your fellow neighbor. Luckily, that focus on community never left me, and I now have the honor to serve as the first congresswoman for the 9th District of Indiana. As a mother and small business owner in Southern Indiana, the economy was always on the top of my mind and the topic of many conversations around the kitchen table. That priority remains the same in Congress. In January, I was appointed as one of the newest members to the House Financial Services Committee. This committee will give Hoosiers a seat at the table on the economic issues that matter most to them. I know bankers throughout our state understand better than anyone the real importance of fiscal responsibility in keeping Hoosier finances safe. I look forward to using my position as a member on this committee to accomplish that goal. On this committee, it will be my priority to bring to the table commonsense solutions that protect consumers and investors. They face the constant threat of overreach from our federal agencies, and the malign influence of authoritarian regimes like the Chinese Communist Party overseas. It is vital that members of Congress stand firm to empower and protect those who keep our economy going as banking institutions are on the frontlines. Another main priority of ours will be to protect rural banks. Banks in small towns are often overregulated and underserved, and it’s beyond time we advocate for their unique priorities. On behalf of every small town in Indiana, I will ensure the financial institutions they trust have a strong voice in the committee room. In addition to prioritizing our rural communities, Hoosiers want policies that increase and strengthen their access to affordable housing. This is an issue near and dear to many Americans, particularly as inflation and limited supply make it more difficult to build new homes and afford even basic housing. Alongside Chairman McHenry, I look forward to pushing back on counterproductive restrictions that limit new development and have caused our housing costs to skyrocket. This Congress, the Financial Services Committee will also work to ensure that Americans can take control of and protect their personal financial data. Many Hoosiers are concerned about the potential misuse of their private information, so it’s important that Congress works to put control of personal data back in the hands of consumers. Finally, it is important to me that we build a framework that encourages innovation in financial technology, and at the same time, ensures that we keep citizens safe. While entrepreneurs and innovators are key to America’s continued success and leadership in fintech, current regulations and guidelines are insufficient to deal with new spaces and assets like cryptocurrency. If we modernize our regulatory framework to ensure Hoosier interests are protected, we can create a system that provides greater opportunities for success and innovation. These are the just some of the issues I’ve been hearing from Hoosier families. As a new member of the House Financial Services Committee, I will work tirelessly to help Hoosiers protect their wallets and secure their futures. HB
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