Congresswoman Miller's Op-Ed: Fighting for America’s Future
Webster Echo
May 20, 2020
As West Virginia, and all of America, work to undo the effects of the pandemic and return to normalcy, it is important that we reflect on what went right, what went wrong, and how we can improve. As the old saying goes "hindsight is 20/20". We will be doomed to repeat our mistakes if we don't learn from them.
Since coming to Congress in 2019, I have seen misplaced priorities, mismanaged power, and wasted time by the liberal majority in the House of Representatives. From the day their agenda was rolled out, this session has been nothing but a partisan grudge match in response to the 2016 election.
Their landmark legislative agenda for 2019 included taxpayer funding for political campaigns, expanding access to abortion, reducing religious freedoms, amnesty for undocumented immigrants, weakening the Second Amendment, and killing the energy industry, specifically coal, oil, and gas that keep West Virginia in business. While we spent a year debating these radical policies, infrastructure was never built, the opioid epidemic wasn't solved, and our borders weren't fully secured.
Finally, House Democrats capped off the year by accomplishing their true mission, impeaching President Trump by any means necessary. This embarrassing event was an enigma from the beginning, and detracted from where our true focus should have been. While Congress was consumed with Impeachment, Coronavirus was spreading. Progressive politicians turned a blind eye to the growing threat, in order to score political points. When President Trump shut down foreign travel, Washington elites insisted our borders remain open. The Administration worked to stay one step ahead of the virus, despite the pushback from my colleagues across the aisle.
Partisanship has brought us to near-standstill. As the virus was spreading, we managed to pass five bills addressing the pandemic over the last 70 days, with increasing gridlock on each vote. As politicians are bickering, Americans are suffering. More than 36 million people have lost their jobs and thousands of small businesses have closed down. That is just unacceptable.
In my office, we've been working around the clock to help our neighbors respond to this crisis. Through numerous conference calls, video meetings, telephone town halls, and direct outreach, we've helped thousands of West Virginians navigate this emergency. The House of Representatives might be shut down, but I'm making sure my office is helping each and every person and business one-on-one to get the support they need to weather this storm. I am encouraged by our efforts. Our state has fared better than many others, but we cannot let our guard down.
The House must get back to business soon. It is our job to pass the appropriate legislation to help us recover. Now is not the time to pander to political posturing. Our sole focus should be on our safety and on rebuilding our economy.
We must take in all the facts, and make any necessary corrections so that we can adapt to the future and emerge safer, more secure, and more prosperous. We need to address China and prepare for the long term. We must extend our hand in friendship and partnership with our allies around the world, improving our supply chains and diversifying our relationships. There is no time to waste, but wasting time is all that is happening in Washington.
Americans should not pay the price for politicians backfilling the relief packages with pet projects that do not pertain to the effects of the COVID-19 virus. We should be re-opening businesses, providing jobs, and keeping our citizens safe. Next year we must restore real leadership to Congress. Nancy Pelosi and her conference had their chance to lead and squandered it. Our economy was booming and we can continue to increase opportunity for every American. We are a strong country and can do as we always have done during adversity: Work together and overcome!