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Sen. Moran to President Obama: Call Congress Back to Washington

President should work with Congress today on growing the economy and creating jobs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today called on President Obama to come to the table and bring Congress back to Washington, D.C., to work on a commonsense plan to grow the American economy. President Obama recently stated that the last thing America needs is Congress spending more time in Washington, D.C. after the volatile debt ceiling debate. Sen. Moran shares Kansans concerns that when Congress left for August recess, it left unfinished business. Congress should reconvene and the President should work with Republicans and Democrats on growing the economy and creating jobs.

“As I travelled across Kansas this week and completed my 87th town hall meeting this year, I heard from hard-working folks concerned about making ends meet during this down economy,” Sen. Moran said. “Kansans want to know why Congress is working at home right now and not on Capitol Hill coming up with responsible solutions. They are absolutely right; we need to spend this time doing what we were elected to do. I am prepared to return to Washington today if you are prepared to work with Congressional leaders on a commonsense plan to grow the American economy and put Americans back to work.”

Congress has the responsibility to create an environment where businesses can grow and start hiring again. This means cutting spending; reining in burdensome government regulations; replacing the convoluted tax code with one that is fair, simple and certain; opening foreign markets for American manufactured goods and agricultural products; and developing a comprehensive energy policy.

Please find the full text of Sen. Moran’s letter to President Obama below:

 

August 15, 2011

 

Dear President Obama,

When Congress left for August recess, it left unfinished business.  Credit rating agencies warned that $4 trillion in deficit reduction was needed in order for the United States to keep its AAA rating.  The deal that was struck to raise the debt ceiling only cut half that amount, and sent the message that Washington is content with business as usual; solving our fiscal problems can be pushed off for yet another day.  In the days since that deal was struck, America has experienced a first-ever downgrade of its credit rating, and the continued uncertainty coming from Washington is causing tremendous volatility in the stock market and continued hesitation among job creators.

When asked last week if, in light of recent economic events, Congress should reconvene and focus on finding the solution our economy so desperately needs, you stated that the last thing America needs is Congress spending more time arguing in Washington, D.C. That we should spend August at home listening to our constituents vent their frustrations.

As I travelled across Kansas this week and completed my 87th town hall meeting this year, I heard from hard-working folks concerned about making ends meet during this down economy. They expect their elected leaders to take responsibility and deliver results, and are deeply disappointed with the ineffectual leadership coming out of Washington.

Most importantly, Kansans want to know why Congress is working at home right now and not on Capitol Hill coming up with responsible solutions. They are absolutely right; we need to spend this time doing what we were elected to do.  I am prepared to return to Washington today if you are prepared to work with Congressional leaders on a commonsense plan to grow the American economy and put Americans back to work.

America needs an economic plan that creates an environment where businesses can grow and start hiring again. This means reining in burdensome government regulations; replacing our convoluted tax code with one that is fair, simple and certain; opening foreign markets for American manufactured goods and agricultural products; and developing a comprehensive energy policy. Ratifying the trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea would be a step in the right direction.  Lawmakers have already agreed that these plans to increase U.S. exports of manufactured goods would create jobs across all of America.  Yet none of these things are getting done.

Kansans tell me that their expectations are simple: they want to put food on their family’s table, save for their children’s education, and prepare for their own retirement.  They know that when our economy is strong, the federal government can pay down its debt, Americans can provide for their families, and we will all have the opportunity to see our children and grandchildren pursue the American dream.  They expect more from their elected officials, so I urge you to call Congress back to Washington today.

Very truly yours,

Jerry Moran 

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