Greensburg Daily News - Rep. Messer: "U.S. Can Still Be a 'Shining Beacon'"

News Article

By Brent Brown

Republican Congressman Luke Messer (IN-06) said he believes we live in "serious times," but that the United States can still "be the shining beacon for the world."

Part of Messer's "Coffee with a Congressman" tour, the Greensburg native sat down for breakfast with Mayor Gary Herbert and other local GOP leaders at Storie's Restaurant Tuesday morning and discussed national and international issues that are currently occupying the thoughts of those in Washington -- from the White House to Capitol Hill.

Messer's message to constituents Tuesday was that relying on American ideals -- and backing words with actions -- will lead to positive results for the nation in the end.

Messer briefly discussed the ongoing battle between Republicans and Democrats in Congress over funding of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). DHS will shut down at midnight Friday if Congress is unable to pass a funding bill and DHS officials have said that the shutdown could put the nation at a security risk.

Associated Press reports Tuesday said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) offered Democrats a "clean funding" bill on which to vote, free of provisions against President Barack Obama's immigration legislation. McConnell's proposal allows separate votes on funding DHS beyond Friday's deadline and into September and on the president's immigration legislation that would prevent the deportation of millions of illegal immigrants.

Messer voted for the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act 2015 in January, a measure that would prevent DHS funds from being put toward the president's immigration legislation. Messer has previously described the nation's immigration system as "broken" and has called for tighter border security and fixes to the United States' visa plan.

On Tuesday, Messer touted the need for a balanced Federal budget, saying keeping the nation's finances in order is a must. The second-term congressman proposed a bill last week that would cut legislators' salaries if they were unable to pass a balanced budget within the next 10 years.

Messer and local GOP members briefly discussed the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (alternately known as "ISIS" or "ISIL"), a militant group accused of beheading prisoners, recruiting children to their ranks, war crimes and other atrocities.

Messer called ISIL members "religious zealots" during Tuesday's breakfast and made reference to the group's murder of Jordanian pilot Muadh al-Kasasbeh earlier this year.

Source