Congressman Wittman statement on Senate decision to work through August recess

WASHINGTON - Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) July 11 released the following statement on Senator Mitch McConnell’s decision to keep the Senate in session through at least the first two weeks of the annual August recess.

“Congress still has major work to do and we can’t get it done with members back in their districts. Senator McConnell is right to keep the Senate working and I will continue to urge Speaker Ryan to follow suit. In addition to health care and addressing the debt limit, we still do not have a budget and only limited progress has been made on the appropriations bills. All of that is on top of the continuing threat North Korea poses to regional and global security. There is plenty for everyone to do right here in Washington. If members want to go on recess - fine. But let’s first get the work done that we were sent here to do.”

In June, Rep. Wittman sent a letter to Speaker Ryan calling for the House to remain in session through August to complete critical legislative items. Of most pressing concern is the FY2018 budget and 12 appropriations bills. Rep. Wittman has called on the House leadership to cancel the August recess in previous years due to the amount of work remaining on the legislative agenda.

In the letter Rep. Wittman highlighted his resolution, H.Res 43, which changes congressional procedure to prohibit the House from taking an August recess unless it has passed all regular appropriations bills by July 31.

Congressman Rob Wittman represents the 1st District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, where he is the Chairman of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee.