E-Newsletter

The debt debate goes on

As you know, after several months of negotiations, the House and the Senate passed a deal last week to raise the debt limit. Just when you thought the debt limit debate was over, it turns out it is really just getting started. Over the weekend, the credit rating agency Standard and Poor’s downgraded the United States’ long-term credit rating from AAA to AA+.  One reason cited by S&P for the downgrade is that the debt limit plan agreed to by Congress and the Administration “falls short.” I voted no for essentially the same reason. This downgrade is another consequence of our nation’s debt problem.

The final version of the Budget Control Act signed into law by President Obama requires both houses of Congress to vote on a Balanced Budget Amendment by the end of the year, provides a mechanism to potentially raise the debt limit up to $2.4 trillion, enforces spending caps, and establishes a Joint Select Committee of Congress to develop legislation to further tackle our nation’s debt problem. While I thought we should be looking at more significant spending cuts and a requirement for a balanced budget, and accordingly did not support this final plan, it is a start that has changed the conversation in Washington on the debt. It’s no longer whether we should cut spending. Now, it is how do we start making the necessary cuts.

As the debt debate moves forward, it will be important to monitor the work of the Joint Select Committee created by this deal. The committee will be made up of 12 members of the House and the Senate – six Republicans and six Democrats.  Their job is to come up with a plan that has a goal of reducing the budget deficit by at least $1.5 trillion over the next 10 years. The committee must vote on their plan by November 23 and report legislation to Congress by December 2. The full House and Senate must vote on this legislation by December 23. I will be paying close attention to the work of this committee and the deficit reduction plan they develop and offering suggestions to them for ways we can reduce government spending. If we want strong markets, increased job creation, and a promising future for America, we must continue the spending and debt conversation.

USPS Discontinuance Studies

The United States Postal Service (USPS) recently announced that approximately 3,700 retail offices nationwide will be included in a discontinuance study to determine customer needs, including 20 post offices in the 9thDistrict. According to the USPS, in the past five years mail volume has declined by 43.1 billion pieces and post office visits have declined by 200 million largely due to increased Internet activity. Being part of a discontinuance study does not necessarily mean that the post office will be closed. The discontinuance process must consider the impact on communities, postal services and employees as well as cost savings and public input.

While I understand the need to cut costs (see above), there is a perception that USPS is trying to balance its books by unfairly targeting rural postal facilities. Federal law requires the USPS to “provide a maximum degree of effective and regular postal services to rural areas, communities and small towns where post offices are not self-sustaining.” Closing the post office in one town could mean a long drive to the nearest facility. Many of these post offices have been a part of the communities for decades. I have urged the United States Postal Service to carefully consider the consequences of these closures and the impact they would have before taking final action. If you would like to contact USPS with your comments, please visit www.usps.com.

Tragedy in Afghanistan

Over the weekend, 38 people, including 30 service members, were killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan. I offer my condolences to the families of those who were lost in this tragic incident. My prayers are with the families of these brave individuals and all of those who have lost loved ones in the line of duty.

As always, if you have concerns or comments or wish to inquire about legislative issues, feel free to contact my offices. You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671. To reach my office via email, please visit my website at www.morgangriffith.house.gov.