The Recess Bell is About to Ring

Soon, all the politicians in Washington, D.C., will run down the Capitol steps, full of excitement about the beginning of summer recess. (I just couldn’t resist that visual.)
 
Still, some lawmakers are calling for a reduction in Congress’ time off for the month of August so the needed legislative work can actually get done. It’s not as if they haven’t had time to work, but I believe our legislators have chosen to wait and see how the mainstream media and the progressive left might lead them.
 
Budget reconciliation must be completed, and the American people deserve an Obamacare repeal-and-replace. Congress also needs to clear the way to work on tax reform.
 
Talking a Good Game
 
This week, both Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell indicated they actually want to get the people’s work done. Both are pretty good, of course, at talking about what they would like to do. Leading the way to actually getting the work done is another story altogether.
 
So, we will have to wait and see. But we can be hopeful that we will, in fact, see something productive come out of the Senate and the House. Talk all you want about Obamacare replace-and-repeal. The left certainly has plenty to say. But, basically, both parties are on separate, independent rescue missions.
 
The House of Representatives and the House Ways and Means Committee are on a rescue mission for the economy, jobs, wages, free markets, opportunities, growth in the middle class and prosperity for future generations.  
 
Meanwhile, the Senate’s rescue mission is about the healthcare system of America, namely, to free up some discretionary income by lowering premiums, ensure people have access to good medical care at a price they can afford and instill competition back into the marketplace.
 
The People’s Concerns
 
Hopefully, Congress will spend less time thinking about recess and more about doing what is necessary for the American people and moving America in the right direction.
 
I know what you’re thinking—recess is not really “recess.” The primary talking point from our legislators is always the same: “This is the time we go home to our constituents and work hard.”
 
Some lawmakers seem incapable of grasping the concept that their constituents sent them to Washington so they will work hard at the Capitol to pass an agenda that will help the people they work for back home.
 
See, it goes like this: If you are a congressional legislator, be mindful of those from your district who put you in office. We are at a place in our economy and in Washington that we need you to work hard getting legislation passed for the people who employ you.
 
I hope legislators read this very carefully and begin to understand that working hard for your constituents means getting legislation passed that actually helps the people in your community.
 
Going home so that you can have town hall meetings where you speak about what a great job you are doing is not going to cut it with 95 percent of your constituents. They have caught on to the political talking points and political rhetoric. They are tired of the talk and are looking for you to get something done in a way that will benefit their families.
 
Doing Your Homework
 
I suppose that the lesson to be learned from all this is that the eloquent talking points don’t work as well as they used to when it comes to getting elected.
 
As an example, I’ve spent a lot of time trying to figure out exactly what piece of legislation Paul Ryan has put forth and passed that has impacted his Wisconsin voters. He can make a speech with the best of them—so well, in fact, that he is now Speaker of the House.
 
There are a few who still listen to what our elite politicians say without weighing their words against their actions. But it is a new day of a Trump voter looking for strength and a “can-do” attitude.
 
Before legislators run home for recess, they should think about serving their constituents in Washington so they have something legitimate to report when they go home. 
 
I still remember how much I hated when a teacher took away our recess. But sometimes, you just have to stay and do your homework.