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WASHINGTON – Today, Congressmen Rob Wittman sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi urging her to keep the House in-session through August to complete critical legislative items.

“I urge you and the House leadership to reconsider the legislative calendar and to cancel the August recess if the House has not addressed the many critical issues facing our Nation and the American people,” Wittman wrote. “The House has yet to pass a bipartisan budget, address the debt ceiling, or consider legislation to adjust budget caps. With fewer than thirty-five legislative days until the end of the fiscal year, Congress should remain in Washington until the work is complete.”

Congressman Wittman acknowledged the importance of district work periods, but he believes it is critical that Congress get the work of the people done.

“Our constituents expect us to stay and finish the job. These critical national priorities, especially funding our nation’s defense, fixing our broken infrastructure, and getting our fiscal house in order are too important to delay. I ask that you keep the House in session to finish the business of the people,” Wittman wrote.

Congressman Wittman is the leading voice for increasing Congressional accountability. For years Congressman Wittman has introduced the No Budget No Pay Act that says if Congress doesn’t pass a budget on time Members don’t get a paycheck, the Stay on Schedule Resolution that says if Congress doesn’t pass all appropriations bills by July 31, the House should stay in session and continue its work instead of adjourning for August recess, and the Inaction Has Consequences Act that says if Members of Congress do not complete appropriations bills by the end of the fiscal year, they will not receive a paycheck. He believes that we must work for a permanent solution that will provide a path to fiscal certainty for our federal agencies.

Read the letter here or below.

Dear Speaker Pelosi:

I urge you and the House leadership to reconsider the legislative calendar and to cancel the August recess if the House has not addressed the many critical issues facing our Nation and the American people. I would like to offer my full support to working on bipartisan, realistic funding bills, even if the House must work nights, weekends, and forgo the August recess to avoid another last-minute funding battle like we encountered in January.

The House has yet to pass a bipartisan budget, address the debt ceiling, or consider legislation to adjust budget caps. With fewer than thirty-five legislative days until the end of the fiscal year, Congress should remain in Washington until the work is complete. The House should immediately begin floor consideration of a bipartisan budget and complete bipartisan action on funding bills, so they can be openly debated through regular order and sent to the U.S. Senate for immediate consideration.

I appreciate that district work periods allow Members to visit with folks back in their respective communities, but it is now becoming a habit for Congress to abandon a long “to do” list in the rush to get out of town. It is easy to anticipate that this August will be no exception.

Sincerely,

Robert J. Wittman                                                                                                           

Member of Congress