Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. letter to J. C., March 11, 1997

ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR. 20 OSTRtCT. Maryland (2021 225-3061 COMMITTEES BUDGET _..NKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES ASSISTANT MAJORITY WHIP Соидгейй of tlje ®mteb States Sjoust of JRepreeentattoM MlaSljington, S£ 20515-2002 March 11, 1997 Thank you for contacting my office regarding your frustration with the House Republican leadership. I have never hesitated to oppose leadership when I felt it was the right thing to do. Last year, I was disappointed by the fact that the House passed a Republican-sponsored amendment to spare the wasteful, bureaucratic, and inefficient Legal Services Corporation from the budgetary ax. Not only did I oppose this amendment, I was one of a handful of Republicans to vote against the amended appropriations bill as well. Additionally, I was disheartened by the House leadership’s decision to pass an increase to the minimum wage during the 1 04th Congress. As you no doubt understand, raising the minimum wage will cause the most marginal workers in society to lose their jobs because small businesses will no longer be able to afford to employ them. The minimum wage was good politics but bad economics, and I voted accordingly. I regret that your disappointment with the House leadership apparently extends to me as well. On the day I was elected to Congress, I expressed support for the following: balancing the budget; granting tax relief to working families; preserving and strengthening Medicare; and common-sense regulatory reform which will help small business. My record clearly demonstrates that my support for each of these concepts has never wavered. You and I certainly agree on one point: it is never acceptable to sacrifice one’s beliefs for the sake of political expediency. When possible and appropriate, bipartisan cooperation can be a positive force in Congress. However, buying peace with one’s principles is never the right thing to do. I will continue to push for the common-sense changes important to my constituents as long as I am in Congress. Once again, thank you for contacting me. Please contact me again if I may be of additional assistance. Sincerely, Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Member of Congress