WASHINGTON, D.C.- Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) announced his letter urging Speaker Pelosi to cancel the House’s August Recess in light of the substantial work presently left unfinished. As scheduled, there are just 21 legislative days prior to August Recess. The House’s appropriations timeline has been compressed by President Biden’s late budget submission- the latest in history. Should the House fail to pass all 12 appropriations bill, they will be forced to pass either a Continuing Resolution or allow the government to shutdown. Remarking on his letter to Speaker Pelosi, Congressman Wittman stated:
“Thanks, in part, to President Biden’s late budget submission -the latest in history- there are just 21 legislative days left until August recess,” said Wittman. “The House has yet to begin floor consideration of any of the 12 appropriations bills we must pass. We must also address our economy’s failure to recover as expected, work towards a possible infrastructure package, and promote a free and fair investigation into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. With so much left to do, it is unconscionable for the House to take a month off. We were elected to deliver results. We must remain in Washington to finish the job.”
Prior to this letter, Congressman Wittman introduced the Stay on Schedule (S.O.S) Resolution, which would prohibit Congress from taking an August Recess unless all 12 appropriations bills have passed the House. Congressman Wittman has further introduced the No Budget, No Pay Act, eliminating Member salaries should the House fail to pass a budget by April.
To read Congressman Wittman’s letter urging Speaker Pelosi to cancel August Recess, please see below and attached.
June 9, 2021
The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Speaker
United States House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Speaker Pelosi:
Today, I write to urge you to cancel August recess if the House has not completed the many critical issues facing our Nation and the American people before the end of July. I would also like to offer my full support to working on bipartisan, realistic funding bills, even if the House must convene during late nights, weekends and forgo August recess. Our chamber has major issues affecting the American people that deserve thorough debate and examination.
Further delaying the return to regular order, President Biden only recently submitted his budget proposal to Congress, the latest budget submission in modern history. As a result, the House has yet to even begin consideration of the twelve annual appropriation bills on the floor. Furthermore, the House has additional pressing pieces of legislation that need addressing before it can responsibly send members back to their districts, such as a bipartisan infrastructure package and holding China accountable as Congress and the Administration pursue answers to COVID-19s origins. With fewer than 21 legislative days remaining until the beginning of August, Congress should remain in Washington until this work is complete. While many Americans are looking forward to a “return to normal” this summer, Congress must work on solutions to combat the lingering economic effects of the pandemic while restoring our nation’s fiscal health.
I appreciate that district work periods allow members to visit with constituents back in their respective communities, but it has become a habit for Congress to abandon a long “to do” list in the rush to get out of town. But Congress has not done its job. Our constituents expect us to stay and complete the work of the American people. The American people expect Congress to work diligently to pass critical national priorities and fund the government through regular order.
These serious national priorities, are too important to postpone. I ask that you keep the House in session to finish the business of the American people. Furthermore, I ask that you urge the Senate to remain in Washington until the appropriations process and other key pieces of legislation are complete.
Sincerely,
Robert J. Wittman
Member of Congress
