To the editor:

The United States House of Representatives is returning to Washington after a six week absence.

The most immediate question is, will they pass a budget or a continuing resolution to fund the operation of our country?

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has stated: “He will not shut down the U.S. government again!” McConnell’s ability to keep his word depends on a U.S. House that often underachieves, and thinks passing no bills is a form of good governing.

There is a long list of bills pending that will need to pass Congress, but they will require some problem solving and funding. Many do not need to be “kicked down the road again.”

Examples are:

Iranian Treaty: President Obama has enough Senate votes to block the U.S. House’s objection to the treaty.

Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP): If approved over union objections, jobs will be lost and America’s jobs will go overseas. Free Trade is not acceptable, Fair Trade is.

Homeland Security funding is on the agenda.

Infrastructure bills are up for renewal after being renewed 34 times without solving the problems.

Also Congress should resolve and pass a bill to fund the pension guarantee fund. This bill is designed protect pension funds from simply be eliminated.

And let’s not forget the funding of Planned Parenthood.

If the Republican House decides to shut down our government, they will convince the voters that they as a party are incompetent to lead.

Voters in 2016 should look to see who is doing “We the Peoples Agenda.”

Joan Patterson

Lehigh Acres