Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Robert's Round-Up: Taking Your Concerns Back to Washington


Congressman Robert Hurt

Over the course of the past month, I traveled across the Fifth District, talking with my constituents about what matters most to them. I am always grateful for the opportunity to spend time in Central and Southside Virginia, and I was able to have many in-depth conversations with Fifth District Virginians about how the policies coming out of Washington are affecting their families, jobs, and businesses.

Many of my constituents have expressed their concern with the recent tragedies in Syria and the possibility of U.S. intervention in the situation. As always, I am grateful for the thoughtful input I have received because it truly does shape the way in which I make my decisions in Washington. The current situation in Syria is undoubtedly devastating, and as details continue to surface, we should evaluate the situation and act accordingly. However, before any action is taken, the President must clearly articulate such imperative details as our national interest in doing so, the outcome he intends to achieve, the way in which he plans to achieve that outcome, and what our exit strategy would be.

On the domestic front, many of the conversations I had also centered around the fact that the current Administration is making it extremely difficult for Americans to get jobs, maintain successful businesses, and provide for their families.

Last Friday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that our national unemployment rate continues to hover above seven percent and participation in the labor market is at its lowest point since 1978, which indicates that people have given up looking for jobs in this stagnant economy. What's worse, there are parts of our district that continue to experience unemployment rates in the double digits. People are hurting, and it is a direct result of the toxic policies and overregulation coming out of this Administration.

It is unacceptable that the big government mindset of the current Administration is hampering economic growth at such a financially unstable time in our country. We need to be doing everything we can to help our Main Street businesses and family farmers grow to create jobs in our local communities.

I look forward to getting back to Washington with your perspectives and insights in mind to deal with these serious issues and encourage economic growth in Virginia and America.

Robert presented several medals to the Honorable Marshall Ecker, Chairman of the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors, which he earned for his distinguished record of service to our country

Robert visited with Dr. Tiffany Franks, President of Averett University in Danville

If you need any additional information, please visit my website at hurt.house.gov or call my Washington office: (202) 225-4711, Charlottesville office: (434) 973-9631, Danville office: (434) 791-2596, or Farmville office: (434) 395-0120.