PW congressman calls for Congress to end its traditional August recess

Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-1), who represents part of the Prince William County area, says Congress should stay in session to resolve the border crisis.

“The practice of adjourning for the month of August is outdated, and I am prepared to stay in Washington until Congress has completed the important work still remaining. I urge my colleagues to do the same. Let’s finish the work we were sent here to do,” he said in a press release Aug. 1.

Wittman’s admonition came after he voted to support House Resolution 5230, a supplemental appropriations bill (H.R. 5230) to address the influx of unaccompanied alien children (UAC) crossing the southwestern border of the United States.

According to Wittman, H.R. 5230 would allocate funds to boost border security and law enforcement activities, as well as to facilitate the deployment of the National Guard to the southwestern border.

In addition, the bill would accelerate judicial proceedings for immigrants, and amends the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 so that all UACs are treated the same as those from Mexico for the purpose of removals.

H.R. 5230 also prohibits the housing of unauthorized immigrants on military bases if the use of the military installation would interfere with military activities or displace active duty members of the Armed Forces. As Chairman of the House Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee, Wittman recently held a briefing on this issue with DOD officials, according to his press release. 

Wittman will be working during the August recess. He has an Aug. 4 town meeting scheduled in Woodbridge at the Ferlazzo Building from 7 to 9 p.m. on veterans’ issues.

He submitted the following statement for the Congressional Record:

“Mr. Speaker, once again, I am disappointed that Congress plans to adjourn this August without addressing critical issues important to the American people.

“I appreciate that district work periods allow Members to visit and work on behalf of their constituents. I am fortunate to commute from my home in Montross to Washington DC on a daily basis, so I am in my district listening to the concerns of my constituents every day.

“However, too much unfinished business remains, and too many important issues must still be addressed with a limited amount of time on the calendar. Congress has not completed its work, and our constituents expect us to stay and finish the job.

“I am prepared to stay in Washington until we complete the people’s work. As I have asked year after year, let’s clear our schedule, halt the outdated tradition of adjourning for the month of August, and stay in Washington to complete the work our constituents sent us here to do.”

Wittman has also argued against previous August adjournments.