Keep Congress in Session

Last night Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) asked fellow Members of Congress to support him in asking Speaker Nancy Pelosi to keep Congress in session, relieving the pressure to pass the Wall Street bailout before Congress adjourns on Friday. He asked for Member support in the form of a Dear Colleague letter.

The full text of the letter follows:

Protect the American Economy:
Do Not Adjourn
Dear Colleague,

Congress should not be playing "Beat the Clock" in our deliberations over the financial security of our nation. Even though each and every one of us has personal and political obligations to fulfill in the six weeks before the election, I believe you will agree that our obligation to our constituents must take precedence. Therefore, I am asking you to support an effort to keep Congress in session, with the exception of brief holiday breaks, through the end of the year.

We need to make sure that we are present to help stabilize the economy and protect the jobs, the homes, the savings, the investments, the pensions, and the businesses of our American family. America has never needed us more. Our obligations to our constituents have never been more pressing. We are at an historic moment and now we can demonstrate that we are prepared to meet it with our labor and our presence.

Once we make a determination to remain in Washington, it will relax some of the tremendous pressure being put on the Congress to come us with an immediate solution to the complex financial crisis visited upon us by Wall Street. If we relieve some of the time pressures it will certainly enhance our ability to make decisions on behalf of our constituents' economic interests. Also, we will have time to pass other economic measures which can help stimulate the economy and take the economic pressures off American families and businesses.

Please join me in signing a letter to the Speaker asking her to keep the House in session through the end of the year.

Sincerely,
Dennis J. Kucinich
Member of Congress