Seeking the consent of the governed

Since becoming your congressman in 2011, I have worked hard to stay in touch with the people I serve. On July 26, I began a tour of all 19 counties in the First District. I’m calling these face-to-face meetings “Conversations with the Congressman.”

On Aug. 15 and 16, I will be in Bonner, Boundary and Kootenai counties. On Aug. 16, I’ll be in Bonners Ferry from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Chic-N-Chop, 6421 Main St.

These events differ from the many town halls I’v held in the past. I’m taking questions but my goal is to have informal, kitchen-table conversations. I’m not using a microphone, and we’ve chosen more intimate venues such as coffee shops and cafes. I’m most interested in hearing from everyday Idahoans — about your concerns on where the country is headed, your ideas for solutions, your hopes for the future.

I have relied on the people to inspire many of my legislative efforts. My bill establishing a gun range near Riggins came from the grassroots, as members of a local gun club sought a suitable site. Last year, we tranferred 31 acres of federal land to Idaho County for the range.

My forestry bill, the Self-Sufficient Community Lands Act, was sparked by conversations with county commissioners from five rural counties — Boundry, Clearwater, Idaho, Shoshone and Valley.

Community input was critical to striking a deal to preserve access for boaters at Lake Lowell; Idaho ranchers advised me on provisions now in law in the Grazing Improvement Act; and Second Amendment advocates helped me fight an ammunition ban proposed by the Obama Administration.

Good ideas spring from good conversations, such as the one I had in 2014 with Tim Christopherson and Mark Mahon. Tim and Mark run logging operations in Kamiah and Council, respectively. They thought it only fair that an exemption allowing teens to work on family farms also apply to young loggers, like Mahon’s son, J.T., who was sent home from a job site because of his age. Our talk led to my introducing the Future Logging Careers Act, which would permit 16-and 17-year olds to work in mechanized logging operations under parental supervision.

Listening to you also means advocating on your behalf. My staff and I have helped over 4,000 people since 2011, dealing with dozens of federal agencies ranging from Social Securiy to veteran survivor benefits, from back pay to taxes. We assist active-duty military personnel, help service members and veterans with education benefits under the GI Bill, work through problems with Medicare and speed the process of obtaining passports.

My staff will be on hand, ready to help me help you.I hope you can join me.