Dear Neighbor:

Last week, the American people sent a message to Washington: stop spending and start instituting policies that will help put people back to work.

I understand that last week’s results were not a stamp of approval for Republicans, but a clear rejection of the Pelosi agenda that controlled Congress the past four years. For too long Washington elites have been out of touch with the American people who are struggling to get by and legitimately worried about the future. With the support of the American voters, Republicans plan to take Congress in a new direction.

In October, Republicans unveiled the Pledge to America, a governing blueprint that outlines how to translate ideas and principles into action such as cutting out of control government spending and ending the job-killing uncertainty. And as the Majority in Congress, Republicans will work to implement the reforms outlined in the Pledge and restore the public trust. America’s prosperity depends on the freedom and ingenuity of its people, not on the dictates of its government. Our plan is to get government out of the way of free enterprise and end suffocating government mandates, regulation and mounting debt.

One of the first congressional reforms Republicans plan to pursue is to post online all proposed bills at least three days before they can be brought to the floor for a vote. In addition, the YouCut and America Speaking Out programs, instituted earlier this year by the GOP, will continue to help give Americans a voice in Washington.

We will propose changes to the House Rules to make it harder to increase spending and easier to make cuts. Republicans also plan to end the practice of passing “comprehensive” or “omnibus” bills, which has just become a way to roll spending into one bill without ensuring that it has been subjected to the requisite review and scrutiny by the elected Members of Congress. Efforts to bring fiscal reform to Washington is of utmost importance. 

Lastly, Leader John Boehner has pledged to end the days of bills being written behind closed doors. Instead, the authority will be restored to the committees, which will require Members to post amendments and votes online to guarantee full transparency.

These are just the first of many priorities in the Pledge to America, and I encourage you to review the entire agenda online at www.gop.gov.   

It is clear the American people want Congress to cut spending in Washington and help put the economy back on track. I will work to return the reins of power back to the American people, because when we do, there will be nothing our country cannot accomplish.

Sincerely,

KEN CALVERT
Member of Congress