Staff Writer
U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw wasn’t on the ballot Tuesday, but he has been back in North Florida meeting with constituents and organizations throughout his district during the recess in Congress.
The four-term Representative and Jacksonville native met with several organizations Wednesday, including a lunchtime meeting with the Southside Business Men’s Club to talk politics.
“Things aren’t going very well in Washington, D.C.,” he told a crowd of around 75 members.
Crenshaw’s laments stemmed from spending, taxing and the current majority regime that has “created an atmosphere of uncertainty” among constituents and ideological colleagues.
Unemployment, stimulus spending and health care reform were three situations needing change, he said, calling the health care legislation “the worst piece of legislation ... in a long, long time.”
“Businesses just don’t know what to expect,” he said, referring to the uncertainty.
He urged members to take a tour of the veterans cemetery he helped establish while also saying he and others are up to the task of competing with the Virginia delegation to house a nuclear carrier in Mayport.
Crenshaw plans to travel hundreds of miles the next several weeks for face-to-face meetings with constituents.
“It’s just part of it,” he said. “I get to get out there and just listen to what they have to say.”
Audiences have ranged from farmers to small business owners, and he said the common theme has been uncertainty. He wants to find out their concerns before heading back to Washington, D.C., in mid-September.
“We’ve got some things to do,” he said.
356-2466