Fiscal Cliff & Benghazi

Dear Friends,

I wanted to send you a quick update about what's been happening in Washington, but first let me say that I am honored to have the opportunity and privilege of being your representative for the next two years.

Due to federal regulations that restrict official communication leading up to an election, I've been limited on what I've been able to send out over the past few months. This has also impacted our ability to conduct our quarterly telephone town halls. Now that these restrictions have been lifted, I'm looking forward to continuing to reach out in a variety of ways, and strongly encourage you to join me on facebook, twitter, or sign up for our more frequent e-mail updates.

For the last several months, I've received a flood of e-mails and phone calls from folks asking Congress to investigate the terrorist attacks in Benghazi as well as the Administration's response. I want you to know that I've heard your concerns loud and clear, and have been actively working on this issue from the beginning.

I've demanded answers during committee hearings, raised national awareness on this issue, authored a bill demanding an official investigation, and wrote President Obama to discourage him from nominating Ambassador Susan Rice to be our next Secretary of State because of her role in giving false information to the American people about the Benghazi attacks.

I've been a leader on this issue because the American people deserve accountability and the truth.

Another major issue coming before Congress is the so-called "fiscal cliff." Our nation has once again reached our borrowing limit with our national debt climbing to $16.3 trillion. Without action, taxes will substantially increase starting on January 1st, and severe and severe defense cuts will go into place.

This is a major problem that needs to be solved, but my position on spending and our debt remains the same. We're not $16.3 trillion in debt because we tax Americans too little, we're in debt because we spend too much money.

Our country has to get its spending problem under control if we're going to solve our nation's debt crisis, and I've supported solutions like a Balanced Budget Amendment that do just that.

I look forward to reading your thoughts and will update you on this and other matters in the near future. In the mean time, please take a moment to answer my quick survey question on how we should handle the debt crisis.

Blessings and Liberty,

Jeff Duncan
Member of Congress