by Rep. Gregg Harper (MS)

Over the past several days, I have traveled across Mississippi’s Third Congressional District to meet with concerned constituents, local leaders and small business owners. Although each person has shared individual frustrations about the federal government, they all have agreed on one thing: The current leadership in Washington is clearly not listening to the people.

During one visit, a lady explained to me that she feels like all elected officials promise to be a leader, but they do nothing to lead. Indeed, this does seem to be the case in Washington under the current Democratic leadership. For the first time since the “Congressional Budget Act of 1974,” the House has failed to produce a budget resolution. This same leadership has locked Americans out of their backroom deals while the House was forced to vote on 1,000-page bills and trillion dollar programs that have exploded the role that the federal government plays in your private life.

House Republicans realize that the public is upset with the way business is operating in Washington and we understand that people are tired of being left out of the political process. This is why we have launched America Speaking Out; an unprecedented initiative to engage Americans across the country to help craft a new agenda for Congress. America Speaking Out is designed for your voice to direct the policy being debated in Washington.

Republicans are listening and we have solutions for decreasing runaway federal spending, creating jobs, improving affordable access to health care and increasing domestic energy production. But we need to hear your thoughts first. When you visit America Speaking Out, you can debate the ideas proposed by Republican Members of Congress or submit your own idea.

This is your Congress. This is your country. Shouldn’t you have a voice in Congress’s agenda?