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During a town hall meeting in Duncan with Congressman Tom Cole, one Kingfisher man came prepared to address the U.S. Representative and petition him to co-sign what is known as "No Budget, No Pay" legislation.
Brian Walter, a member of the 501c3 organization "Unity above Self in America", said he was speaking on behalf of Americans by asking the U.S. Representative for District 4 to co-sign Senate Bill 39, a nonpartisan effort that aims to keep Congress from receiving pay if they "can't get the job done."
Before addressing Cole, Walter addressed those gathered in the Red River Technology Center Seminar room to give them background on what he was talking about.
"Lincoln foretold 150 years ago that 'As a nation of free men, we must live forever or die by suicide.' I and many others like me believe we are seeing that today, that America is committing suicide in the surest way possible by bankrupting itself," Walter said. "Fortunately, there is legislation active in both houses of Congress to address this. It's called 'No Budget, No Pay.'"
Walter said the legislation aims to reach a bipartisan budget each year and reach across the aisle to come to a solution on time, and if Congress doesn't do this, they go without pay until it is accomplished. Walter said there would be no retroactive pay under this legislation.
Before Walter addressed Cole, he told the public of his impression of the Congressman. Walter called Cole kind and intelligent, especially when it comes to the inner workings of the government and how to get things done in Washington, D.C.
"I believe ultimately he (Cole) is also something far more important," Walter said. "I believe ultimately that when he faces the question of rather he will be acting in his own selfish best interest or the nation's best interest that he will decide to act in the nation's best interest, that he will sacrifice himself for this country. That's what our young people do in the military and I think Congressman Cole will also make that same decision."
Walter received a round of applause before he posed his question to Cole. Walter, who has attended all of Cole's town hall meetings in recent weeks, said he believed this would be his last opportunity to address the legislator and he wanted to seize it while he could.
"Rep. Tom Cole, I'm thankful that over these last two weeks we've had a chance to get to know one another. I feel we've established a level of mutual respect and more importantly made some progress in our discussion," Walter said. "This is the last of our meetings, at least for now, and so I submit this as my closing argument and our request that you co-sponsor the 'No Budget, No Pay' act.
When you return to Washington, D.C. and you look at this bill, I ask that you keep some basic concepts in mind. First, that I and other concerned citizens see this as a matter of absolutely critical importance to our Republic. We all believe that our present deficits, debts, and political dysfunction are all tied together and simply unsustainable.
"This is what motivates me to sacrifice my time to be here and has motivated many others to sacrifice their hard-earned dollars and effort," he continued. "There are no political benefits for anyone or any party. Our efforts are solely dedicated to re-establishing commonsense rules before it is too late in order to preserve America's financial stability, freedom, and ideals."
The second facet Walter wants Cole to remember when he goes back to office is that citizens feel this is a "moral issue."
"Secondly, please remember we see this as a moral issue, not a political issue," Walter said. "We believe it is immoral for Congress to fail to make tough choices, thereby leaving a weaker America and an ever growing burden for our children and grandchildren. We believe it is immoral for Congress to take its pay without giving us … a budget. We believe this is your opportunity to set a strong, moral example in Congress."
Walter asked Cole if he would co-sign the bill and sacrifice himself and his pay for the good of the people.
"We are asking you to take this opportunity to be an American hero," Walter said. "Please Rep. Cole, don't let America down."
Cole said he would visit the bill again once he returned to Washington and ensured he would contact Walter and let him know what his decision was regarding supporting the bill.
Cole thanked Walter for his perseverance and for attending each of his town halls.
The movement for Cole to support the bill comes after the Unity Above self in America organized, petitioned and succeeded in having Congressman Frank Lucas co-sign the bill also."