A delegation of leading senators are calling on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) to cancel Congress's summer break if "meaningful progress" is not made on several pressing legislative issues, including health care reform, funding the federal government, and fixing the U.S. tax code, according to a letter.
The senators, all Republicans, warn that Congress has only 33 working days remaining in the fiscal year to deal with a range of pressing issues.
"This does not appear to give us enough time to adequately address the issues that demand immediate attention," write the senators, including David Perdue (R., Ga.), Mike Lee (R., Utah), Thom Tillis (R., N.C.), and several others. "Therefore, we respectfully request that you consider truncating, if not completely foregoing, the scheduled August state work period, allowing us more time to complete our work."
The senators want to make progress on at least five pressing legislative issues.
"We must complete the first phase of Obamacare repeal and replace. Next, we have to pass a budget that serves as a reconciliation vehicle for reforming our outdated tax code," the write. "Before September 30th, we must agree on an appropriation that responsibly funds the government. Also, we must deal with our debt limit before that approximate date. If we successfully navigate those priorities, we can finally get to our once in a generation opportunity on tax reform. Growing the economy, repairing our infrastructure, and rebuilding our military are all dependent on accomplishing the tasks before us."
Senators should not leave Washington, D.C., until addressing these issues, the senators maintain.
"Please be assured that our request is fully backed by our commitment to thoughtfully and diligently work through these issues," they write. "We simply recognize that making America great again requires a certain time commitment. Delivering meaningful results was never assumed to be easy, but the millions of Americans who placed their confidence in our leadership expect our full and best effort."