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Williams: “Operation Choke Point is socialism at its purest”

June 10, 2014

Today, Congressman Roger Williams (R-TX25) accused President Obama and the Justice Department of pursuing a socialist agenda through the program "Operation Choke Point." The program, which began in 2013, pushes banks to terminate services for certain legal businesses and industries which the Obama administration deems objectionable.

Williams, a business owner for more than 40 years, spoke on the House floor to condemn the program. Transcript follows, and the video can be seen here.

"Mr. Speaker, one of the most abusive government overreaches in our nation's history is happening right now, under our watch. Operation Choke Point began quietly last year as a way for President Obama and the Justice Department to intimidate and strangle businesses they no longer support. By forcing banks to cut ties with law-abiding businesses – like sporting goods stores, licensed gun dealers, and thousands of others – these business owners have no recourse.

"Once again, President Obama is circumventing the legal and legislative process that was set in place to protect the free market, personal choice, and individual freedom. When did it become okay for the federal government of the United States of America to tell business owners that their business is no longer wanted in America? That is socialism in its purest form.

"Owning the banks and owning the market is the goal of this administration, and I urge my colleagues in Congress, as well as anyone who has ever owned or dreams about owning their own business, to end the abuse. Operation Choke Point is an affront to the freedoms and liberty that millions of Americans have died to protect."

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