Media

Already federal employees have agreed to pay freezes and pension changes that have brought $75 billion in deficit savings, and House Republicans have insisted on additional contributions from federal employees but refuse to ask the wealthiest in this country to contribute as well. It is simply unfair to continue singling out these middle-class workers at a time when they have been working harder than ever.

WMATA is critical to growing our local economy, keeping our nation safety and secure, ensuring our government can function, and making the District more accessible to all who visit it. However, in order to continue meeting the needs of our region, the Federal government must do its part to support WMATA, and I will continue working to ensure the system has the resources needed to provide safe and reliable service.

The annual Fifth District Congressional Art Competition is a wonderful opportunity to highlight the exceptional talent of Fifth District students. Each and every participant submitted outstanding artwork, and Im pleased to see the dedication and creativity that went into each piece.

For nearly forty years, GBMS has provided Fifth District residents with access to affordable, quality health care, and I was pleased to join the staff and administration at Greater Baden Medical Services for a tour of their facilities and briefing to learn more about the services they provide.

The Vet Center here in Clinton has been an important asset to veterans in the Fifth District, and I commend its staff for their dedication to helping veteranstransition back to civilian life.

While I am encouraged that our economy is continuing to add private sector jobs for the twenty-ninth consecutive month, with 172,000 private sector jobs created in July, more must be done to move our jobs recovery forward. Thats why I have been urging Congress to extend middle class tax cuts for Americasfamilies and small businesses and pursue the Make It In America jobs plan. Unfortunately, House Republicans have once again walked away from the Americanpeople when they left town for the summer with a long list of critical work left undone, including failing to provide economic certainty to families andbusinesses by providing tax relief for middle class Americans.