Column: This Week in Washington

Statement

On Thursday, I offered an amendment to H.R. 2838, the "Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2011." Importantly, the Cravaack amendment will improve integration of U.S. Coast Guard and Canadian Coast Guard Great Lakes icebreaking operations.

Presently, the United States and Canadian Coast Guards do not have a common operating picture for icebreaking operations on the Great Lakes. Every year, ice season begins in mid-December and typically lasts until mid-April. Up to 20% of annual Great Lakes maritime commerce takes place during this time.

Efficiencies created by coordinating operational information would result in increased employment and commerce on the Great Lakes by allowing for more traffic at the beginning and end of each ice season. This could be crucial during years where the Coast Guard is breaking ice into the month of May.

The amendment was agreed to by unanimous consent by House committee and is endorsed by the American Great Lakes Ports Association.

More jobs for Minnesota

I will examine all pro-growth proposals that mitigate excessive, job-destroying regulations that saddle small businesses and job creators. Republicans and Democrats must find areas of agreement regarding job creation that both sides can agree. We must set aside differences, build consensus, and produce a bill that helps job creation so that we can come together and act quickly to get the middle class back to work in this country.

We cannot have more stimulus style spending. Any jobs package must provide specifics on how it will be paid for.

I am committed to taking every possible step to improve conditions for private sector job creation in the Eighth District and to get our economy back on track so that America's workers and business owners can do what they do best: create, innovate and lead. We must focus on removing government barriers to private-sector job creation and the pursuit of pro-growth tax relief.

Mobile Offices

Each Friday, members of my staff will head out from my three district offices in North Branch, Duluth and Brainerd to hold what are known as mobile offices. If you have a question about federal benefits or a question regarding your dealings with a federal agency, please stop by at the given locations at the times listed so you can speak with one of my staff. The list of mobile offices next Thursday, September 15 and Friday, September 16 can be found here. As always, you can also reach my casework staff by phone at (651) 237-8220, or toll free at 1-888-563-7390.

It is my privilege to have provided my constituents access to mobile offices in over 100 Minnesota cities since entrusted to this office.

Commitment to Constituent Outreach

It has been my privilege to provide my 8th District constituents unprecedented access to their representative to Washington, including thirteen town hall meetings, seven tele-town halls, mobile offices in over 100 different cities, numerous roundtable discussions, and three permanent district offices where we conduct office hours -- anyone is able schedule an appointment. My primary focus is to create more jobs for the 8th District; I look forward to continuing this conversation with my constituents.

Social Media

One of the best ways you can keep up to speed with what I'm doing in Congress is through social media. I encourage you to follow me on Facebook and on Twitter.

Rest assured, I will remain an independent, conservative voice in Washington; I promise to uphold the fiscally conservative principles the people of the 8thDistrict entrusted upon me.

Very truly yours,

Chip

Source