Last November, the American people sent a clear message to Washington: Government cannot solve all of our problems, and in order to get the economy moving again we must head in a new direction. I am humbled that the citizens of the 1st Congressional District overwhelmingly selected me to join 95 other new members on Capitol Hill to right the ship on jobs, to fix the deficit and to hold President Barack Obama accountable on the expansion of government.
On our very first day, we adopted new House rules for the 112th Congress. These new rules made it tougher to implement wasteful spending and easier to return tax dollars to the hard-working families who earned them. The next day, for the first time in the history of the House, we authorized a cut in our own budget. This was not a cut to the rate of growth — it was a real cut, and I have 5 percent less money for expenses, staff salaries and mail than the previous representative.
My parents fled communist Eastern Europe shortly after World War II and arrived in New York City without a famous last name or a dollar in their pocket. They taught my brothers and me that if you work hard and play by the rules, you can achieve the American dream. As a husband and father of five, I want to make sure future generations have the opportunities my parents afforded me. That’s why I ran for Congress, and it is what motivates me to serve the district every day.
I will approach decisions as a thoughtful conservative. I believe that before anything else, government must first do no harm, especially to our economy. And, while it is necessary for a free society, government should act as a partner, not a bully — a helping hand, not a hindrance. Most of all, America must remain a beacon of freedom to all those who think, like me, that our best days are still to come.
My top priorities will be advocating for innovative policies that initiate long-term job growth, making an efficient government that works for taxpayers, and putting together a congressional office that is accountable and provides the highest quality service.
*Innovation. We need to go beyond current thinking when it comes to job creation. The president and previous Congress relied too heavily on government spending and programs to attempt to create prosperity. The stimulus package, cap-and-trade, and Obamacare were designed to take away personal freedoms in order to give more control to elite bureaucrats in Washington.
I believe that the economic engine of our country is not found on Capitol Hill but in places like Ocean City, Salisbury, Perry Hall and Severna Park. We have to cut unnecessary red tape, lower the tax burden and assure entrepreneurs that the reward is worth the risk.
*Efficiency. Americans have lost connection with the government. We feel as though we don’t get enough return on our investment. In Maryland, our tax freedom day in 2010 wasn’t until April 19, which means we owed the first 31/2 months of our annual salary to feed the beast of government. During this recession, we have all had to do more with less — it’s time for government to do the same.
*Accountability and Service. First and foremost, the office of the 1st Congressional District belongs to the people. I and my staff will be here to serve you. My staff brings a unique background of both public and private sector experience which will focus on high-quality constituent service. My door is always open and I look forward to meeting and serving my constituents.
Last year, for the first time since the Jimmy Carter era, the outlook of Americans turned pessimistic, with many believing that their children will not have a better life than they had. This shouldn’t be. Ronald Reagan, an eternal optimist, was right when he stated in his first inaugural address, “We must act today, in order to preserve tomorrow.”
That is why America sent a new Congress to Washington. That’s why the House rolled up its sleeves this month and got to work. And that’s why — while the road may not be smooth at times — I believe thoughtful conservatism will move us forward to better days.
Andy Harris represents Maryland’s 1st Congressional District. His e-mail is andy.harris@mail.house.gov.
