So Congress is in session, fighting about the debt limit, but MY Rep., Dave Reichert,

[pnwmom]

says on his website that he's going to be in a Seattle suburb tomorrow -- presiding over a Veteran's Resource Fair.

Could this be true?

Does his irresponsibility know no limits? He still has made no statement about a position on the debt limit, though this D.C. office told me this morning that such a statement was imminent.

[Union Thug]

1. I noticed that, too. n/t

[demigoddess]

2. that seattle suburb is probably Bellevue, where all the big

money is. Representatives from that district never go anywhere in the District except for Bellevue.

[pnwmom]

3. Yes, Bellevue. But there's plenty of money in Kirkland and Redmond, too.

I just don't understand why Reichert isn't in Washington, D.C. And why he hasn't made a statement about his position on the debt limit.

[KT2000]

4. Inslee was supposed

to be in Port Townsend on Saturday but he had to cancel because of the debt limit mess. With Reichert - who knows?

[HeiressofBickworth]

6. I'm torn

Although I think Inslee would make a fine governor, right now, I think we need him in the House more than we need him in Olympia. Anyone know who's planning on running for his House seat?

[KT2000]

7. But he has announced hasn't he?

So far it is just Inslee and McKenna.

[HeiressofBickworth]

5. Obviously,

he has to check with his monied supporters to find out what his position is supposed to be. He can't afford to make a mistake.

[diddlysquat]

8. I live in Renton and Dave is my rep.

I emailed him about getting a clean debt ceiling bill and got this reply. I tried to email back the next day but his site was down.


Dear XXXX,

Thank you for contacting me to share your concerns about our nation's debt. I appreciate hearing your views and welcome the opportunity to respond.

According to the U.S. Treasury Department, the federal government reached the statutory debt limit of $14.294 trillion, on May 16, 2011. The Treasury Department used what Secretary Geithner called "extraordinary measures" to extend the government's borrowing authority through August 2, 2011. Nearly all federal debt is subject to a statutory limit that cannot be raised without an act of Congress. The Administration has said the debt limit would need to be increased by $2.4 trillion in order to take the government through November 2012 without defaulting on its obligations. The President, Vice President, and House and Senate Leadership have met multiple times since May in an effort to reach agreement on legislation to raise the debt limit, but thus far a deal has not been reached and a specific plan has not been put forward by the Administration. If an agreement is not reached and passed by Congress before the August 2nd deadline, the government will default on its obligations, and no longer be able to pay its bills on time because it will not have the borrowing authority or revenues necessary to cover all of its expenses. These expenses include everything from Social Security payments, veterans benefits, pay for members of the military, Pell Grants for college students, interest payments on our debt, and other federal programs.

To address this issue, various proposals have been put forward in both the U.S. House and Senate that range from a straight increase of the statutory debt limit, raising the debt limit with corresponding spending cuts, and raising the debt limit with a combination of spending cuts and tax hikes. The U.S. House of Representatives considered and passed one such proposal, the Cut, Cap, and Balance Act (H.R. 2560), on July 19, 2011 by a vote of 234-190. I supported this bill, which would permit the President to raise the debt ceiling by $2.4 trillion, only if corresponding spending cuts are enacted and a constitutional balanced budget amendment is adopted. The legislation proposes immediate reductions in federal outlays in Fiscal Year 2012 and would advance more fiscal restraint in the future by setting caps on government spending. The legislation now moves to the Senate for consideration.

I strongly believe the debt limit should not be raised without corresponding spending cuts. It would be irresponsible to allow the federal government to continue borrowing without insisting on reforms and cuts that can begin to reduce record deficits. Financial markets, military families, and Social Security beneficiaries need the assurance of a stable government on a sound fiscal footing to plan for the future. That is why I have consistently supported a balanced budget amendment to ensure greater fiscal accountability within the federal government.

It's time for Congress to set aside partisan bickering and work together to evaluate all responsible savings options and forge an agreement. Reducing federal spending is a tough task, but all representatives share the responsibility to protect taxpayers, tighten Uncle Sam's belt, and put our nation on a sustainable fiscal path that will provide certainty to the markets and create an environment that stimulates job growth. Working together in this manner, we can and we will keep America great for generations to come. America has been through tough times throughout our history. We must succeed in restoring fiscal responsibility and economic prosperity for the sake of our children and for the sake of our great nation.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to get in touch with me. Your interest and input are valued and I will keep your views in mind as the debt limit debate continues to unfold. I encourage you to visit my website and sign-up for my monthly e-newsletter at http://reichert.house.gov to learn more about other issues impacting the 8th Congressional District and our nation. You can also follow my work online and receive frequent updates on legislation being considered in Congress by visiting me on Twitter (www.twitter.com/davereichert) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/repdavereichert).

Sincerely,

David G. Reichert
Member of Congress

[diddlysquat]

9. Interestingly enough, even the Seattle Times did not

endorse him last time he ran for office. I don't really think he is too smart.

[pnwmom]

10. Thanks. So he supports a Balanced Budget Amendment. What an idiot. n/t