Life in Congress
By Rep. Doug Lamborn, U.S. Congress
My first five months in Congress have been exciting, fascinating, exhausting and humbling. It is an honor to represent the citizens of Colorado’s 5th Congressional District and a privilege to work in the company of interesting and distinguished colleagues. I have learned a lot in this short period of time, and have become even more dedicated to lowering taxes, protecting life, supporting our military, and ensuring that Colorado Springs and its surrounding areas have the resources necessary to sustain positive growth. My committed staff and I are definitely hitting our stride. Challenges are met with a can-do attitude and a sense of humor. I am proud of all that we have done, and look forward to all that we can and will accomplish during our time on Capitol Hill.
I am serving on two committees of vital interest to my district and to Colorado. On the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I am able to be an advocate for the more than 100,000 veterans that call the district home. By also serving on the House Natural Resources Committee, I can further the water and public land interests of Colorado.
In addition, I have been placed “on leave” from the House Armed Services Committee, meaning I am accruing seniority and will be placed on the committee when the next permanent vacancy arises. I look forward to serving on this committee where I will be able to effectively represent the five military installations in the Fifth District.
Taking full advantage of my position as the ranking subcommittee member for memorial affairs on the Veterans Affairs Committee, I have already introduced legislation, supported by the entire Colorado delegation, to establish a national veterans’ cemetery in the Pikes Peak region. I am also supporting almost identical legislation offered subsequently to mine by Rep. John Salazar to do the same thing.
The high rates of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) afflicting the brave men and women who serve our nation require new methods of treatment and I have been actively involved in securing necessary resources for Fort Carson to cope with this growing problem. Revelations about inadequate medical care being given to our wounded soldiers at Walter Reid Hospital troubled me deeply and I participated in inquiries into the situation. I will continue to champion the causes of our nation’s veterans.
The inevitable growth that comes from living in the best place in America has placed a great strain on Colorado’s resources. I am working with my colleagues to establish a balance between protecting the natural beauty of our state and ensuring the availability of natural resources. H.R. 2277, a bill I introduced, simply approves a study of reservoir expansion and permits the Bureau of Reclamation to enter into long-term water storage leases in the reservoir.
For far too long, leaders in Washington have forgotten that tax money belongs to the taxpayers and not the government. I am working to promote the American Taxpayer Bill of Rights which seeks to change this way of thinking by demanding a fiscally responsible system of government. House Democrats are attempting to pay for spending increases by allowing the expiration of the temporary Bush Tax cuts and by raising taxes. This is an outrage. It is our obligation to control government spending and reduce the tax burden on the American people. The problem is not that government does not have enough money, the problem is that it spends too much money.
During my time in the state legislature I gained a reputation of being able to work across the aisle with my Democrat colleagues whenever possible. As our forefathers knew, discussion and compromise are the way to serve the common good and I will continue this vital tradition of our political system. I appreciate the opportunity to serve in Congress and promise to be a strong advocate for our district, the great state of Colorado, and the nation.
CONTACT THE WRITER • lamborn.house.gov |
