Back Home…
It’s been a long few weeks in Washington, but I’m back home and pleased that my colleagues and I reached a deal to raise the country’s debt ceiling. Last Monday afternoon, the House—in a bipartisan vote—passed S. 365, the Budget Control Act of 2011. The next day, the Senate—again, in a bipartisan fashion—voted the measure through, sending it to the president for his signature.
![thumbnail](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121205114812im_/http://womack.house.gov/UploadedPhotos/mediumresolution/cf86aaa9-2a8f-44e6-80fb-f8edf374c203.jpg) |
When you consider the fact that we control the House—and not the Senate or White House—one would have to conclude that this deal is a win for conservatives. It gets better than “dollar for dollar” cuts, no tax increases, and gives us a pathway toward a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.
I congratulate Speaker Boehner and his leadership team in its negotiating prowess in insisting on cuts-only solutions to the debt issues plaguing our nation.
I truly believe that the longest journey begins with that all-important first step, and the solution approved today in both chambers is a major step toward fiscal sanity in our country.
You can find the full details of the debt ceiling deal HERE and click HERE to watch the video I uploaded shortly after the vote.
Job Creation…
![thumbnail](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121205114812im_/http://womack.house.gov/UploadedPhotos/mediumresolution/706ce6b8-95cf-4465-a2e6-7c3dda31a863.jpg) |
Throughout the month of August, I’ll be traveling all over the Third District visiting with constituents, touring businesses, and hosting several town halls on job creation entitled, “Putting America Back to Work.”
For more than two and a half years, this nation has been at or above 8 percent unemployment. That’s not acceptable. The president's economic policies have failed at every turn. Yesterday, we saw the Dow Jones fall more than 500 points. That is the sharpest decline since 2008.
From the very beginning of the 112th Congress, my number one priority, and the number one priority of my Republican colleagues, has been job creation. Nothing has changed. House Republicans have passed 10 job creation bills so far, but unfortunately, the Senate has taken no action.
Arkansas, as well as the rest of America, is tired of their “Plan of Inaction.” Below are the dates, times, and locations of the aforementioned town hall events. Please join me putting America back to work. I hope to see you soon.
Tuesday, August 9
Jobs Town Hall
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Fort Smith Public Library
3201 Rogers Avenue
Fort Smith, AR
Thursday, August 11
Jobs Town Hall
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Arkansas Tech University
138 Rothwell Hall
1605 Coliseum Drive
Russellville, AR
Wednesday, August 17
Jobs Town Hall
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Durand Center
303 N Main Street
Harrison, AR
Thursday, August 18
Jobs Town Hall
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Har-Ber High School
300 County Road 909
Springdale, AR
For the full list of events, please log on to my website at www.womack.house.gov.
Feel free to check my website for frequent updates, and find out how you can get connected and share your opinions with me. I always enjoy hearing from folks back at home.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend, and we'll talk again next week.
From the Front…
Steve Womack
U.S. Congressman
AR3
|