Local Leaders Hear From Top Congressional Leaders in Washington

Posted: Thu 4:45 PM, May 08, 2014

By: Steve Fullhart - Email

WASHINGTON, DC - Local leaders have had dozens of meetings this week on Capitol Hill with members of the Texas congressional delegation. Plus, top national leaders spent time with the Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce delegation.

Alongside leaders from the Waco area making their first group trip to Washington, Bryan/College Station's leaders on their 14th trip spent Wednesday hearing about the issues Capitol Hill is weighing.

"It's good for the members of our chambers of commerce, as well as every day citizens to come to Washington and hear first-hand from policy makers, and more importantly, to express first-hand to policy makers what their issues are that are happening back at home," said Congressman Bill Flores, whose office arranged the schedule for the day, one with more than a dozen elected officials coming to provide perspectives.

"Whether it's education, the military, economic development, we all have similiar issues, and this is why I'm glad I was here with Bill Flores," said Rep. Henry Cuellar from Texas' 28th District in south Texas. Cuellar was the lone Democrat to speak to the delegation Wednesday.

"It's been good hearing about what issues they're trying to tackle and how difficult the task is here in Washington as our leaders really do the heavy lifting," said Bobby Bisor with Texas A&M University.

Both senators carved out time in their schedules to speak with the delegates, and it wasn't just limited to Texans. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor and House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan were among the speakers.

"I want to express my thanks for your taking this democracy of ours very seriously," Cantor told the group.

While what the local leaders had to hear from the members of Congress probably wasn't anything different from what those folks would say on national television, being able to hear directly from the members of Congress and then add their perspective was something they could only get on Capitol HIll.

http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/Local-Leaders-Hear-From-Top-Congressional-Leaders-in-Washington-258454811.html