Webb: #NoSummerRecess without #TaxReform

I write this as I rail my way to Washington, D.C. with a view of the government run Amtrak train system. 

Oddly in the stream of consciousness my first thought is what will my editor say when I fight for the headline above. I have a purpose for it. 

{mosads}My reasons are someone tongue-in-cheek with a serious at that in a traditional media format, since #CampaignsAndSocialMediaAreAllTheRageAndPoliticalCommunication, here is one on behalf of the American people and our needs. 

The Republicans asked for the House and we gave it to them, they asked for the Senate and we gave it to them, they asked for the White House and we gave it to them. Now, we want something, and in reality, many things in return. 

In an earlier article in this newspaper, I suggested that the Republicans act like winners. President Trump said that we as a country would begin winning in many ways and like never before. I believe he meant it but now with the Board of Directors in the U.S. House and Senate, he is being prohibited from using a businesslike approach to reform a broken federal government and elected officials landscape in the swamp of Washington.

And its more than likely the real estate mogul has found the one piece of real estate where rehabilitation or tearing down and rebuilding structures has become nearly impossible. 

To the credit of the Trump administration and with some grudging credit to Republican leadership, there has been some marked success. 

We are witnessing the resurgence of American energy and have become the world’s number one exporter. This of course means jobs in a fairly stable environment for many blue-collar workers and revenues for major corporations that fuels roles for smaller supporting industries. 

At the EPA, administrator Scott Pruitt has begun a process of attrition to reduce the agency bloat by some 1,000 employees within the next year. Coupled with reduced regulatory burden, this tackles two elements by freeing some industries to grow that have been burdened by overregulation and to reduce the size of the federal government.

Contrary to the cries from the left, the president never advocated for removal of all regulations but rather removal of overregulation to the point of a restrictive business environment.

So, why this particular article title? Tax reform, which on the business tax structure, as a larger footprint on the American economy is sorely needed a hand off or in conjunction with individual tax reform. Congress is ready to exit the Beltway and go home under the guise of speaking to their constituents. I am sympathetic to the fact that they want to go home and see their families, but I don’t buy the use the time to speak to constituents explanation. We, your constituents, sent you to Washington to fix problems and that means working overtime. Our military service members leave their families for much longer than our elected officials. Our military service members are paid less, often work in harsher conditions and at home their families keep the fires burning. If they are able to maintain and continue to accomplish daily tasks, then so can you and your families even under the most adverse conditions of not being able to fly home due to weather. 

There is a serious nature to my tongue and it is simply that when there is a job that you have applied, run for and achieved, it’s time to get it done. 

You will not get 100 percent of your desires, but we need you to move the ball forward as much as possible by placing effective legislation on the president’s desk for his signature. 

In a recent interview on Fox Business Network, Rep. Steve Stivers (R-Ohio) told me that when it comes to tax reform, the Republicans have 100 percent agreement on 90 percent of the proposals. My next question to him, why not take 100 percent of 90 percent, remove the 10 percent for later debate and give us tax reform? Let’s say he’s off with his numbers and the Republicans only have 100 percent agreement on 80 percent of the tax reform structure, wouldn’t you, the reader, except an 80 percent marker with 20 percent left for future action? I think most reasonable Americans would. 

To the Democratic obstructionists, the problem with carrying a Russia, Russia, Russia narrative for so long is that when you cannot produce any proof after eight months, many Americans will simply tune out.

As you read this, my broadcast stag and I are in Washington looking for answers. We can be found in the halls of Congress where you are supposed to be doing work on behalf of the people. Where will you be next week?

Webb is host of “The David Webb Show” on SiriusXM Patriot ’25, a Fox News contributor and a frequent television commentator. His column appears twice a month in The Hill. 

The views expressed by this author are their own and are not the views of The Hill.