This past week, I attended and hosted over 20 events throughout the Fifth District. We made stops in Charlottesville, Danville, South Boston, Chase City, Farmville, Hardy, Rocky Mount, Java, Martinsville, Lawrenceville, Kenbridge, and Chatham.
One of the top concerns that was expressed in several of my stops across Central and Southside Virginia was the rising cost of gas. I heard from constituents and families who are having to tighten their budgets. And I met with small businesses owners and farmers who discussed how high fuel prices are burdening their businesses with thousands of dollars in additional costs, drastically impacting their bottom line and threatening jobs. Whether it is the distributors at the Pepsi Bottling Plant in Charlottesville, the farmers in Pittsylvania County, or families and individuals, skyrocketing energy prices are negatively affecting everyone in the Fifth District at a time when we can least afford it.
I believe that stable gas prices need to be a top economic priority, and House Republicans have already taken several steps towards reducing the pain at the pump. The House has passed three pieces of legislation so far aimed at increasing our domestic supply to help lower gas prices, move us towards true energy independence, and create thousands of jobs in Virginia. And while the Democrat-led Senate just recently blocked similar legislation that would have expanded American energy production, it is my hope that they will change course so that we can address this important issue in a bipartisan manner.
As Congress returns to Washington to consider the annual Defense Authorization Bill, which sets our defense priorities for the fiscal year and renews our nation’s commitment to our troops and their families, I want to ensure that our office stays as accessible as possible to all Fifth District Virginians.
To that end, representatives from our office will be holding two constituent works days this week to help those who need assistance with federal agencies. On May 23, our staff will be in Rocky Mount and Rustburg, and on May 27, our staff will be in Stanardsville and Cumberland.
For times and locations, and if you need any additional information on these or any other issues, please visit my website at www.hurt.house.gov, or call my Washington office: (202) 225-4711, Charlottesville office: (434) 973-9631, Danville office: (434) 791-2596, or Farmville office: (434) 395-0120.
Robert Hurt is a United States Congressman.
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