Washington, D.C. – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and the House Democratic leadership today called on Speaker Boehner to cancel recess until Congress has met its responsibilities to the American people.  In addition to Leader Pelosi, Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer, Assistant Democratic Leader James E. Clyburn, Democratic Caucus Chairman John B. Larson, Democratic Caucus Vice Chairman Xavier Becerra, and Budget Committee Ranking Member Chris Van Hollen signed the letter.

As the Democratic leadership said in their letter to the Speaker, “Our nation can ill-afford economic uncertainty that will result from Congress remaining idle for another six weeks.  The American people are counting on us to keep moving the nation forward for jobs, economic recovery, and a stronger middle class… Instead of recessing yet again, the House should remain at work and pass critical legislation that will create jobs for the middle class that will actually be signed into law.  Republicans must not run out the clock on the economy.”

They also added: “Democrats are committed to staying in session as long as it takes to ensure certainty for the middle class, growth for the economy, and the creation of jobs for the American people.  The American people want us to work together and we’re ready to get the job done.  ”

Below is the full text of the letter:

September 20, 2012

The Honorable John Boehner
Speaker
United States House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Speaker Boehner,

Democrats do not believe the House should recess this week, or at all, until we have met our responsibilities to the American people.  We have clearly heard the concerns facing our constituents.  Our nation can ill-afford economic uncertainty that will result from Congress remaining idle for another six weeks.  The American people are counting on us to keep moving the nation forward for jobs, economic recovery,  and a stronger middle class.  Our rural communities have endured the worst drought in 50 years.  

The American people have every right to expect more than the eight days of voting you have allotted between August 3 and election day on November 6.  As members of the Democratic leadership, we are writing to urge that the Republican leadership not adjourn the House this week, as you have planned.  Doing so would make us the earliest Congress to leave town to campaign in more than 50 years.  It would be a dereliction of our duty to lead; it does not honor our responsibility to the American people.  

• At a minimum, before we return to our districts we must pass a comprehensive and balanced plan to prevent sequestration and responsibly reduce the deficit.  Democrats have put forth a plan, based on fairness and balance, that ends the sequester through a mix of cuts and revenues. 
   
• Congress should remain in session to extend the middle-income tax cuts to provide certainty for millions of American taxpayers and for the economy.  
   
• Congress should not recess without passing President Obama’s jobs bill, which can create more than one million jobs.  
   
• Congress should keep working to pass a five-year Farm Bill; 16 million agricultural jobs hang in the balance.  

Democrats are committed to staying in session as long as it takes to ensure certainty for the middle class, growth for the economy, and the creation of jobs for the American people.  The American people want us to work together and we’re ready to get the job done.  

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

NANCY PELOSI                                             STENY H. HOYER
Democratic Leader                                           Democratic Whip

JAMES E. CLYBURN                                     JOHN B. LARSON
Assistant Democratic Leader                           House Democratic Caucus Chairman   

XAVIER BECERRA                                        CHRIS VAN HOLLEN
House Democratic Caucus Vice Chair             Budget Committee Ranking Member