In the News
Conservative members of Congress are taking a stand and asking congressional leadership to forego lawmakers' August recess.
"There is only one place that we can do legislation and that is in Washington, D.C., and I think it is critical that we stay in and do the people's business," Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, told The Daily Signal in a phone interview.
The conservative group FreedomWorks is turning up the heat on a top House Republican to support bipartisan legislation that would allow terminally ill patients unrestricted access to experimental drug treatments.
FreedomWorks wants House Energy and Commerce Chairman Greg Walden (R-Ore.) to advance the Right to Try Act (H.R. 878), which was introduced in February but hasn't moved through the committee.
The Fourth of July is undoubtedly a special time for every American. It is an opportunity to reflect on the meaning and origin of American freedom. It is a day full of picnics, parades, barbecues, and fireworks. It is a highlight of patriotism and a celebration of proud sovereignty and independence.
Over 240 years ago, July 4 wasn't marked by the festivities we experience today. July 4, 1776 was mired in a time of uncertainty, sacrifice, fear, and desperation. Yet through all this, bravery, courage, and perseverance persisted, and a nation was born.
PHOENIX — Count one Arizona congressman among those calling for the traditional August recess to be canceled as Republicans continue to work on health care reform.
Rep. Andy Biggs told KTAR News 92.3 FM's Arizona's Morning News that taking the traditional month off would further push back the GOP leaders from fulfilling the promises they made to voters.
Lawmakers returning to their districts for a week-long recess are skeptical that the civility seen after the shooting of House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., will carry over into their meetings with constituents.
A number of House Republicans are re-upping their call to cancel August recess, saying there is simply too much work they need to get done.
Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs wrote a letter to Speaker of the House Paul Ryan saying there are too many priorities they need to tackle before they can go back to their districts.
With time further expiring on House Republicans' "long list" of legislative goals, members have again asked Speaker Paul Ryan to cancel the chamber's August recess.
"During the 2016 elections, President Trump and Republican candidates running for the House and Senate promised the American people that with unified Republican government we could achieve many of the policy priorities that have been mere wishes for the last several years," Arizona GOP Rep. Andy Biggs wrote in his letter to Ryan, a Wisconsin Republican.
GOP lawmakers are urging party leadership to nix the August recess, as Republicans struggle to make progress on their agenda despite maintaining control of both chambers.
Ten Republican senators sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Friday warning that the current congressional schedule doesn't give them enough time to work on legislation. They called for him to cancel, or at least curtail, the recess.
A conservative lawmaker is leading an effort in the House of Representatives to ask congressional leadership to cancel lawmakers' August recess to give members more time to work on legislative priorities such as Obamacare repeal and tax reform.
"We request that you cancel Congress's current plans to recess for the month of August to ensure there is enough time to address the long list of pressing issues on our docket," reads a letter organized by Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., a member of the House Freedom Caucus.