This past week, President Obama delivered his annual State of the Union address on the same day that marked the 1,000th day since the United States Senate has last passed a budget. I was hopeful that the President would put forth serious solutions to address the debt and jobs crisis that has come from years of reckless spending. Instead, as we listened, we heard more plans for larger government, and more spending at a time when we can least afford it.
One year later, we continue to face the same challenges as we did during last year’s address. Far too many in the Fifth District remain out of work while our nation’s economy struggles with over 8 percent unemployment for the 35th straight month.
In addition, we have now surpassed a staggering 15 trillion dollar debt that has nowovertaken the size of our entire economy, leaving each American man, woman, and child owing over $48,000. At a time when our national debt threatens the very future of our nation, we cannot continue with more unnecessary spending programs.
The House has led the way since last January, focusing on saving taxpayer dollars rather than spending taxpayer dollars, and focusing on advancing job-creating policies rather than job-crushing regulations in order to turn this course and restore Americans to employment while working toward a balanced budget.
Since last January, the House has passed over 30 pieces of bipartisan legislation that would help rein in reckless spending and remove the federal government as a barrier to job creation by easing regulatory burdens on small business owners, creating an environment for innovation and expansion, and maximizing energy production here at home. Yet, a vast majority of these bipartisan solutions remain stalled in the Senate, with no encouragement from the President to be acted on.
If one thing has become clear in the past year, it is that continuing on this current path of Senate inaction is no longer an option. I appreciate the President’s stated willingness to work with the House to address our jobs and debt crisis, and I look forward to finding common ground on these important issues as we work to promote policies that will preserve this great nation for the sake of those across the Fifth District and the country.
If you need any additional information on these or any other issues, please visit my website at 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.
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