Congress has not yet answered the $14 trillion question of what to do with our staggering debt. But last week we officially posed the question of whether or not to grant the President’s request to raise the debt ceiling by $2.4 trillion to $16.6 trillion. This was a “clean” vote on the debt ceiling, so it did not include any budget cuts or spending reforms. The lopsided vote disproved the false narrative circulating Washington that Americans want to keep spending more and borrowing more at a time when we already borrow 42 cents out of every dollar. Hopefully we can now put to rest the distraction of a “clean” debt increase and instead focus on reforming our spending to bolster our economy and create jobs.
Job Creation
There has been a lot of bad data released recently about our economy: falling home prices, more jobless claims than expected, more people giving up looking for jobs, increased unemployment and anemic economic growth. I have sought to help the families and neighbors in our district by reducing burdensome federal regulation of small businesses, collaborating with local stakeholders on addressing the needs of our region, and lowering energy costs for consumers. These ideas and others are collected in a wide-ranging job creation plan published by the Majority Leader.
Fiscal Responsibility
Last week the House accomplished a simple task that has eluded Congress for more than four years: passing appropriations for the government before the threat of a funding lapse. The frantic, rushed way that previous Congresses have pulled together 13 separate funding bills into one omnibus appropriations package has contributed to our fiscal weakness. Last week we passed a bill funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), consistent with the budget the House already passed. We also did this under the first “open” rule since 2007, bringing transparency and a fair exchange of ideas to the People’s House. And while the House works, the Senate dithers.
I have enjoyed spending this week at home with you all. Look out for an update next week on news from home.
Sincerely,
Daniel E. Lungren
Member of Congress
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