Earlier this month, Republicans in the House of Representatives met to establish our priorities for the coming year. We realize that we have a tremendous opportunity to change the path our nation is on, and we will use this year to advance a pro-growth agenda that represents the American people’s priorities. This year we will focus on five major issues: national security, jobs and economic growth, opportunity, healthcare, and constitutional authority.
As our national security remains one of our top priorities, it goes without saying that we must recommit ourselves to exerting our constitutional power to ensure those who seek to perpetuate evil against our nation and our allies are eliminated before they further advance their hatred. In the coming weeks, the House will vote on a bill to prevent terrorist cells in Iran from obtaining financial assistance, but this is just one of many actions the House will take to protect our national security.
Since being elected to Congress, jobs and economic growth in Virginia’s Fifth District and our nation has consistently been one of my top priorities. Earlier this month, I introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at spurring the development of I-73, which has the potential to boost economic growth in a region of Virginia that has suffered the highest unemployment rates in Virginia. We must continue to relentlessly pursue policies that encourage job creation to leave our country a better place for our future generations. I understand this and the House understands this. We have been and will remain committed to this goal.
For the past six years, the President’s healthcare law has continued to wreak havoc on businesses, healthcare providers, doctors, and patients. A couple of weeks ago, the House and Senate sent a repeal of the President’s healthcare law to his desk. He vetoed it, but soon, the House will vote to override his veto. We are listening to the American people and showing a clear path for the next President to fully repeal this harmful legislation. House Republicans remain committed to repealing this damaging legislation and replacing it with market oriented solutions.
Finally, time and again we have seen President Obama push his agenda via executive action rather than engaging the Congress. His lack of engaging leadership has done immeasurable damage to our system of government and has compromised the constitutional bounds our Founders envisioned. We must reinstate the principles of our Constitution to ensure and enable the voice of the American people. Under the leadership of Speaker Ryan, I am confident that we will continue to fight for the American people’s priorities and present a robust and dynamic alternative to the President; one that is built on constitutional principles, not executive fiat.
I am looking forward to this new year and getting to work on the agenda we have outlined. Of course, House Republicans cannot accomplish these goals alone; we will do everything we can to work across the aisle and with the Senate and the President to make our agenda a reality. I believe we will make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous, and I am looking forward to the work we will do in this coming year.
If you need any additional information or if we may be of assistance to you, 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.
Robert Hurt represents the Fifth District of Virginia in Congress.
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