E-Newsletter: Open and Committed to Working for You

Statement

Dear friends,

This is a great week for Idaho as celebrations have begun commemorating the 150th year of our state becoming a territory. Idaho's natural beauty and rich resources remind us every day why we're thankful to call our state home. Idaho's success has been built on good governance and thrift; I was reminded this week that Washington, D.C. still needs to learn these lessons.

It's a disappointment to hear the recent news about the Obama administration's decision to end the public's access to free White House tours due to the sequester. This administration needs to make serious cuts to our budget, not token cuts like closing the White House to the general public.

I'm convinced with the amount of wasteful spending in Washington, D.C. there are ways to find more reasonable -- more appropriate -- cuts to government spending. The White House should ask why its own agencies spent millions of dollars on researching fruit flies and funding Moroccan pottery classes. These activities and more are found in Senator Tom Coburn's Wastebook 2012, an annual report exposing ridiculous government projects funded by your tax dollars.

Although all Members of Congress have been forced to cut their budget by more than 8% due to the sequester, we planned carefully to ensure our services to you would not be disrupted. In addition to helping you resolve problems with federal agencies, my staff in Washington, D.C. will gladly arrange for you a tour of the U.S. Capitol. We'll also ensure you get the most out of your trip by helping you plan a great tour of the Supreme Court, Library of Congress and national monuments.

This is your government and it exists to work for you. My office is happy to assist you with scheduling a tour of the U.S. Capitol as well as advice on visiting other destinations in Washington, D.C. I encourage you to contact my office at 202-225-6611 or at Labrador.Information@mail.house.gov.

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