Dear Friend:

This week, a district work period was canceled and the House was called back into session at the direction of the Republican leadership.  This calendar change was intended to encourage negotiations on the national debt.  Unfortunately, a final agreement has not been reached and the House has voted today on such nonsense as light bulb standards and Styrofoam trays in the cafeteria. I wish that this was a joke and not reality, but sadly it is not. So, I share the frustration with many of my constituents who feel as if Congress has not made progress on improving the economy and addressing the national debt and budget.  But, I won't give up fighting.

The US will exceed the country's debt limit on August 2, which could cause defaults on debt payments missed payments to recipients of federal benefits, drastic cuts in government services and disruption to the economic markets. Rating agencies, such as Moody's and Standard and Poors, have warned that default will downgrade America's credit rating, which would lead to higher interest rates on credit cards, car loans and mortgages and add trillions to the national debt.  There is general agreement in Congress that we must find a way to pay the country's obligations and also make big changes to the budget.  However Congressional leadership of both parties have yet to reach an agreement on the details, which is troubling.

Yesterday, I gave an interview to WABE's Denis O'Hayer and discussed the bipartisan "Gang of 6" approach to the budget negotiations.  I remain willing to work with my colleagues to find some agreements on the tough decisions facing our nation.  However, I am skeptical about some Republican plans to slash Social Security and Medicare.  Too many people tell me they have lost their retirement in the recession and Social Security is the only thing keeping them out of the poorhouse.  We need to stop borrowing billions to fund wars, tax cuts, and new spending. However, I believe we can do that without punishing retirees and the disabled.

You can vote on a budget survey on my website at this link.  I will share the results next week.

Please, take a few minutes to read about the latest news in the district and D.C.

11 Alive interviewed Congressman Scott about the Republican attempts to protect energy-wasting light bulb standards.  The Republican-run House has voted twice recently on light bulb standards, but has failed to bring up a jobs bill.  You can watch the video clip at the 11 Alive news site here.

The nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association  recognized Congressman Scott with a Friend of the National Parks Award.  The Congressman received a framed reproduction of a color poster of Acadia National Park in the style of the Works Progress Administration posters produced for the National Park Service in the 1930s. This print is hanging in the Washington office.  For more information about the award, visit the Association's website at this link.


                Alternative Fuel Workshop for Fleet Vehicles


The fleets and alternative fuels workshop will provide public and private fleets with valuable information regarding the use of alternative fuels. This workshop will include presentations from government and industry leaders to demonstrate cost saving measures, case studies of alternative fuel fleets, and information about compressed natural gas (CNG), propane, and biodiesel for fleets.

Date: July 27, 2011
Time: 8:00a - 4:00p
Location: Manheim DRIVE Center, 3000 Walter Way, Stockbridge
Cost: $50 Member | $55 Government | $60 NonMember

To learn more about the event, visit their website at: http://www.cleancitiesatlanta.net/images/EventDocs/atc2011agenda06.08.11.pdf


Thank you for taking time to read my newsletter.  If I can be of assistance, please contact me through one of the addresses located at the end of this message. We can also connect via Facebook, YouTube, Twitter or LinkedIn. 


Sincerely,

David Scott
Member of Congress