Rep. Wittman speaks on a variety of topics at our May 10th meeting

Rep. Robert J. Wittman (R-VA, 1st) spoke about the economy, health care, the Chesapeake Bay and the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq during his remarks at our May 10 lunch meeting.
Wittman, who was elected to Congress in 2007, said that he has been told by many business owners that Washington needs to "slow down" in the amount of legislation they are trying to pass. As a result of recently passed legislation and other laws being considered, businesses are delaying hiring workers as they sort out the costs and details of these new regulations. He also said Washington needs to create a responsible budget and to reign in entitlement spending.
Wittman said he believes the recently passed health care bill will add more costs and that Washington felt the need to "pass something as opposed to the right thing."
He also said the operations in Afghanistan and Iraq "were much better than a year ago", that Pakistan has to do more to stop the Taliban and the withdrawal of troops should be based on information from commanders in the field.
In regards to the Chesapeake Bay, which is a main issues in his constituency, Wittman said there is still a way to go in cleaning up the bay, but he adds that a clean bay is an economic issue because a cleaner bay leads to more jobs and more seafood and better economic health for the area.
Wittman's district runs as far north as Faquier County down to the city of Hampton along the eastern coast of Virginia. Wittman has served in public office since 1986 on the Montross Town Council, the Westmoreland County Board of Supervisors and the Virginia House of Delegates.