Looking To September

The August district work period has always been a time that I dedicate to holding town hall and constituent meetings throughout the Fourth District. Last week, I held the first town hall in Ada, and throughout the remainder of the month there will be more in Norman, Midwest City and Lawton. Unlike many other town hall meetings in other parts of the country, my experience has been that Oklahomans – many of whom have diametrically opposing political views – have been civil, respectful and polite. Our nation faces many serious challenges, and our fellow citizens have many questions and opinions that deserve to be heard. These town hall meetings are an excellent way for me to learn more about what is on the minds of our communities.

Congress has accomplished a number of legislative priorities in the past eight months, but there are many critical issues that must be addressed when we return in September. Principal among them is passing the remaining eight appropriations bills to fund the federal government. This is a timely issue as the fiscal year will end on September 30th. We must pass our appropriations bills in order to prepare for a final negotiation with the Senate and the Administration.

Another significant responsibility that Congress must address is the debt ceiling. This is an issue that has grown increasingly contentious and one that is frequently misunderstood. Put simply, failure to raise the debt ceiling is the equivalent of an individual refusing to pay his credit card bill. As everyone knows, the United States has, over time, spent a great deal more money than we have taken in through taxes. We have done so by borrowing money that we are legally and morally bound to repay. Without a debt ceiling increase we are defaulting on out financial obligation. However, I do not believe we have to pass a "clean" debt ceiling. We can and should couple an increase in the debt ceiling with budget reforms - including entitlement reforms - that change the trajectory of our ever-increasing debt.

Finally, we must continue our efforts to reform our health care system and our tax code. Everyone knows that our health care system is not working well for the vast majority of our citizens. Premiums have skyrocketed, choices have dwindled and there is only one insurance provider in the Oklahoma exchange. Similarly, our tax code hinders investment and entrepreneurship, as well as prevents job creation. These issues could have, and should have, been addressed months or even years ago. Now we find ourselves in the all too familiar position of a looming deadline to deal with multiple critical issues effecting literally every American.

Congress must end this mindless cycle of kicking the can down the road by continually waiting until the last minute to make the critically important decisions regarding our nation's economic wellbeing. The work we do and the choices we make in September couldn't possibly loom larger.