Congress Returns

Congress is back in session this week with yet another opportunity to fight for less government and more freedom for all Americans.

The question is whether they will seize the chance to show the country that they are the party that can be trusted to change Washington or the party of surrender that bows to the Democrats and continues business as usual.

The government funding bill that must be passed and signed into law before the end of the month is the primary point of leverage that Republicans have to force President Obama and the Democrats to compromise.

Republicans should fight for something in this bill and have the courage to stand their ground. They could insist upon any of the following policies:

✓ Defund the president’s Iran deal
✓ Defund the president’s plan to allow more Syrian refugees
✓ Defund executive amnesty
✓ Defund sanctuary cities
✓ Defund Obama’s ability to approve a new UN climate treaty
✓ Defund Obamacare
✓ Defund Planned Parenthood
✓ Reduce funding for the IRS offices that targeted conservatives
✓ Stop Obama from transferring oversight of the Internet to ICANN, a global organization

It would be nice to fight for all of these things, but even if Republicans just picked one of these policies and actually fought for it, they would help restore the party’s damaged image.

Also, Republicans should pass funding for the government through the rest of the year so there is no reason for Congress to pass additional spending during a lame duck session when voters can no longer hold them accountable.

Nothing good ever happens in Congress during a lame duck and nothing good ever happens during the holidays when most Americans aren’t paying attention.

Call Senate Republicans and urge them to fight for conservative policies in the budget bill this month and to reject a lame duck session.

If the President refuses to negotiate and shuts the government down, Republicans should stand united and win the argument. Rather than hurting Republicans politically, it would boost the party in the upcoming elections.

But the key is for Republicans to stand united in this fight rather than surrendering as they have done so many times in the past.

Some Republicans have been campaigning as a future “check” or “hedge” on the possibility of Hillary Clinton winning the White House, which would be commendable except for the fact that there is zero evidence that the current GOP leadership will follow through on such a promise.

That’s why it’s so important for Republicans to take a stand this month. If they’re unwilling to stand up to President Obama’s agenda now, there’s no reason to believe they will stand up to Hillary Clinton’s agenda next year.

This is an opportunity for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) to demonstrate why Americans should vote for Republicans in November.

We aren’t holding our breath, but we hope – for the sake of the country – that they seize the chance to get something good done in Washington.

This is their chance to earn your vote in November.