Weekly Updates

This week, I voted to keep Congress in Washington, DC, instead of leaving town for a 5-week hiatus from the U.S. Capitol. However, not enough members joined in voting against adjournment for the month of August, so Congress has completed work in the Chamber until September. I continue to oppose adjournment by the House when so many issues remain unaddressed. I know many of you have called, written or e-mailed about your unhappiness with the job that Washington is doing, and most importantly, that the nation’s work is simply not getting done. That’s why I have supported Congress canceling adjournment and staying in Washington to address critical issues for the second year in a row. Folks know that when the work isn’t done, you don’t pack up and leave, you stay to finish the job – especially when the job is so critical for our citizens and our nation. It’s simply unacceptable that Congress left work unfinished. I remain committed to getting things done, and getting them done right.

As you know, both chambers of Congress have debated the issue of immigration in recent months. Immigration reform is one of the most-discussed and debated issues I hear about as I travel across the district. Getting immigration reform right is critical out of respect for those that have pursued citizenship under our system of laws. Elements of immigration reform include border security, immigration enforcement, improved employment eligibility verification, revision of legal immigration, and options to address the millions of unauthorized immigrants currently residing in the country. This is not a small set of issues to address. Border security needs to be job #1 in any kind of immigration reform, and we must make sure that there is a clear definition of border security. We must assure that border security is achieved as part of addressing the immigration issue. We should do all we can to prevent unlawful entry into our country and fraudulent use of our taxpayer-funded government programs. I'm not in favor of amnesty. I am focused on ensuring that our nation’s current immigration laws are enforced, immigration programs work properly, and the temporary worker visa program is overhauled so that it works better for both employers and documented workers.

In June, the Senate passed a comprehensive immigration bill, however I do not support the Senate bill as passed. The House continues to work on individual bills to address the different aspects of immigration reform, including border security and guest worker programs. I think the thoughtful, focused approach the House is taking is the way to address immigration issues. It is my hope that the House will take up the smaller pieces of legislation. I encourage you to read more about the legislation passed through the House Judiciary Committee, and to share your thoughts with me on these pieces of legislation:

The SKILLS Visa Act (H.R. 2131)

The SAFE Act (H.R. 2278)

The Agricultural Guestworker Act (H.R. 1773)

Border Security Results Act of 2013 (H.R. 1417)

The challenge of immigration reform today is balancing the needs of employers to increase the supply of foreign workers who come to this country legally, the interest of families to live together, the dreams of unauthorized immigrants to gain a legal status, and the demand that all migrants comply with the rule of law. I certainly understand people want to come to this country to provide a better future for their families, but I strongly believe that those immigrants who do come should arrive and live in this great country legally.

The main streets of Virginia’s First District are full of ideas to get our economy back on track, and your feedback is critically important to me as I serve you. I can be reached by telephone at (202) 225-4261, through my website (www.wittman.house.gov), on Facebook (www.facebook.com/reprobwittman), and via Twitter (www.twitter.com/robwittman).

Congressman Rob Wittman represents the First District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee where he is the Chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee.