Before shooting off a letter that assails U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler’s, R-Camas, character and motives, one (such as Robert Andrews’ July 25 letter “Representative failing constituents”) should get the whole story.
The Senate passed its version of an agriculture bill with an “if-you-want-this (for farmers) you-have-to-pass-that (food stamps)” that would nearly double the amount currently being spent on food stamps and allied programs.
The House, including our representative, wisely decided to take the more responsible approach and consider each issue on its individual merits. It passed the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act and currently is working on a version of a separate bill for continuation of the food stamp program. Now this vital program will get the attention it deserves rather than having its fate tied to other interests.
I believe we all are served better when big issues are taken on individually than when Congress plays “Whack-a-Mole” with our money and gets more misses than hits.
