We Can Save the Country TRILLIONS

We can save the country a few trillion dollars.

On April 14^th, a group of 75 conservative organizations mailed a letter to Speaker Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, urging them to take steps to avoid a lame duck session in Congress this year.  A lame-duck session occurs whenever one Congress meets after its successor is elected, but before the successor’s term begins. [Roughly  between Election Day and the seating of the newly elected members.]  Both Congressmen AND the President should be constrained to specific powers during this period!! The letter was initiated by sponsors of the Conservative Action Project.

Establishment Republicans complain, however, that major legislative business wouldn’t be necessary in a lame-duck session if conservatives would have gotten on board with higher spending earlier on.

And so the stand-off continues.

Here is the letter sent to Ryan and McConnell: (Emphasis is mine.)

Dear Mr. Leader and Mr. Speaker:

As the 114^th Congress approaches the midpoint of its second session, we the undersigned urge you to not hold a so-called “lame-duck” session at the end of this year.

Historically, lame duck sessions have been used by both parties to enact backroom deals that are neither beneficial to the American people – nor representative of their will as expressed in the elections of only a few days or weeks before.  Past lame duck sessions have produced, among other actions, massive tax and spending increases, increases in the gasoline tax, pay raises for members of Congress, and ratifications of treaties that threaten US sovereignty.

At a time when the American people’s trust in their government is at an all- time low, the Republican led Congress should demonstrate exemplary behavior by completing its work before the November elections so that voters can judge all legislators on the basis of the votes they have cast.  Because legislators who have been defeated in an election, or are retiring are no longer accountable to the voters for their votes, any actions taken which required their votes are essentially undemocratic.

The Republican-led Congress must not provide President Obama with an additional opportunity to enact his agenda of progressive social engineering programs and job killing economic policies before he leaves office.  A lame duck session would be his swam song:  he can be expected to leave no arm untwisted, no threat unmade, no quid un –quod to get his dream policies enacted, his liberal judges confirmed, and his international agreement approved.  And all of it could be done without any concern for what the VOTERS actually want because neither he nor the departing legislators will ever face the voters again.  We think that’s a bad way to run a Democracy…………

By promising now that there will be no lame duck session of Congress, (except, of course, in the case of an unforeseen  sudden emergency requiring immediate Federal Action, the Republican-led Congress can take an important first step in restoring the American people’s trust in their government.  By making it absolutely clear that there will not be a lame duck session, the Republican leaders in Congress will encourage all members of Congress to complete the people’s work in an orderly manner BEFORE the elections, putting an end to the unfortunate practice of recent years of governing by manufactured “Cliffs and Crises” at the end of the year.

The American people want, and should have, good representation by their elected officials.  The way to get good representation is by having the opportunity to hold those officials accountable.  True accountability means finishing Congress’ work for the year BEFORE the November elections and NOT HOLDING A LAME DUCK SESSION.

If you agree, use your voice while you can.  Find your Senators & Representatives at:  https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials