Bill Posey

U.S. Rep. Bill Posey, R-Rockledge, acknowledged what he termed a “friendly crowd” as it broke into applause when he spoke of efforts to cut off federal funding for the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) because of voter fraud.

Posey was applauded often during a visit Friday to the Indian River County Administration Complex. People filled the seats and lined the walls of the County Commission Chambers, and latecomers had to watch the proceedings on televisions outside the chambers.

Prior to addressing the public and talking their questions, Posey met with various public officials in a conference room at the complex. In both cases, he decried what he viewed as excessive spending and regulation under the current administration.

He contended there is an animosity in the halls of Washington toward business that extends beyond Wall Street and impacts the nation’s small businesses.

While unemployment rises, Posey said the proposed national health care legislation and cap and trade legislation, designed to control carbon emissions, will cost millions of jobs.

He also complained that the crafting of some of the federal legislation is not being done in the open. Posey received loud applause when he talked of calling for a requirement that would give lawmakers three days to review proposed legislation before acting on it.

Speaking of an issue that is a hot topic for those living in the vicinity of Cape Canaveral, Posey called for a smoother transition between the space shuttle program and the upcoming Orion program, which could transport astronauts to the moon, Mars and elsewhere in the solar system.

A three-year gap between the ending of the shuttle program and the launch of the Orion program has now grown to five to seven years. He wants to close that gap.

“It’s a matter of national security and economic survival for this nation and particularly this region,” said Posey.