Is it Possible Dodd-Frank Could be Repealed?

Congressman Jeb Hensarling

With the election of Donald Trump as the next president, and the maintenance of control over the House and Senate, Republicans have the opportunity to repeal the Dodd-Frank law, which has given businesses headaches since implementation. The best part of the Dodd-Frank bill was a promise by the Federal Reserve and the government to end the practice of “too big to fail.” That main goal has, as of now, gone unmet, as I wrote to you about here earlier this Autumn.

But while the bill’s main goal has gone unfulfilled, a host of burdensome regulations and requirements on business have been enacted, slowing down the economy and doing seemingly little to make the financial system safer.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the president-elect’s embryonic administration is considering Congressman Jeb Hensarling for the position of Treasury Secretary. Hensarling is a vocal critic of the Dodd-Frank law and has led the fight against it in the House. His appointment would surely lead to changes in the law’s implementation and enforcement.

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In these early days after any election it’s risky to make too much of rumors about who might be appointed to which cabinet position. But Hensarling would consider the position if it were offered. The Journal writes:

Mr. Hensarling’s consideration shows the strong influence Vice President-elect Mike Pence has on key decisions. Messrs. Pence and Hensarling worked closely together in the House of Representatives, and their views on many financial issues are closely aligned.

Mr. Hensarling had backed Sen. Ted Cruz (R., Texas) for president during the primary, but he later endorsed Mr. Trump and praised him for selecting Mr. Pence as his running mate.

Mr. Hensarling has been a leading critic of the U.S. Export-Import Bank, which finances U.S. exports. The Export-Import Bank’s charter lapsed for nearly five months last year after Mr. Hensarling led a campaign to block its reauthorization. The bank has been unable this year to back deals larger than $10 million because the Senate hasn’t filled vacant board positions.

Mr. Hensarling also sought to pass legislation in 2013 that would phase out government-controlled mortgage companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, a key piece of unfinished business from the 2008 financial crisis the Trump administration is likely to inherit.

Rep. Hensarling: Trump and I have common ground on Dodd-Frank

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E.J. Smith - Your Survival Guy

E.J. Smith is Founder of YourSurvivalGuy.com, Managing Director at Richard C. Young & Co., Ltd., a Managing Editor of Richardcyoung.com, and Editor-in-Chief of Youngresearch.com. His focus at all times is on preparing clients and readers for “Times Like These.” E.J. graduated from Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts, with a B.S. in finance and investments. In 1995, E.J. began his investment career at Fidelity Investments in Boston before joining Richard C. Young & Co., Ltd. in 1998. E.J. has trained at Sig Sauer Academy in Epping, NH. His first drum set was a 5-piece Slingerland with Zildjians. He grew-up worshiping Neil Peart (RIP) of the band Rush, and loves the song Tom Sawyer—the name of his family’s boat, a Grady-White Canyon 306. He grew up in Mattapoisett, MA, an idyllic small town on the water near Cape Cod. He spends time in Newport, RI and Bartlett, NH—both as far away from Wall Street as one could mentally get. The Newport office is on a quiet, tree lined street not far from the harbor and the log cabin in Bartlett, NH, the “Live Free or Die” state, sits on the edge of the White Mountain National Forest. He enjoys spending time in Key West and Paris. Please get in touch with E.J. at ejsmith@yoursurvivalguy.com To sign up for my free monthly Survive & Thrive letter, click here.