Blog

I’ve been your Congressman for seven months now, and a busy seven months it has been.  I have met thousands of people across Southern Ohio, and I look forward to seeing many more of you soon. The House of Representatives’ August schedule allows additional opportunities to meet with you to discuss such vital issues as creating jobs, providing energy security for families, putting an end to wasteful government spending and providing certainty for farmers.  Though I tend to the people’s business in Washington, D.C., I look forward to returning home to Ohio to hear from you.

Meeting with you is a priority this August, but I also have an obligation that it is an equal privilege for me to undertake – my annual military duty in the U.S. Army Reserve.  Like thousands of Ohioans, I report for duty monthly, as well as for two full weeks of service each year.    

Since 1998, I have served at over a dozen military installations in the United States as well as deploying to Iraq for a year.  Since serving you in Congress, my duty station has been re-assigned to Walter Reed Hospital.  At Walter Reed, I am humbled to care for the men and women returning home from Afghanistan. 

This month, however, I will be on duty at Madigan Medical Center at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Tacoma, Washington.  I’m proud to continue to serve as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, and it will be my honor to fulfill my duty.

It’s important for you to know that my offices across Southern Ohio and in Washington, D.C. will be open as usual and I will be in frequent contact with my staff.  Also, because of the Congressional schedule, I will not miss any votes or committee hearings.    

In the interim, my staff will be available to hear your opinions on upcoming legislation or assist as you navigate issues with federal agencies.  We will continue to hold “Traveling Help Desks” across Southern Ohio to ensure that the services I’m proud of, and which you’ve come to expect, are brought closer to your hometown. 

In addition, I will remain in contact with you during my two weeks’ service through my e-newsletter, Facebook and Twitter.    

Please know that I take both my military service and my service as your representative very seriously.  I believe you’ll find that my commitment to serving you will not change during this time. 

In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or my staff if you would like to share your concerns or if you need help dealing with Social Security, the VA or the IRS.  You can reach my Cincinnati office at 513-474-7777, send me a note through my website, www.Wenstrup.House.Gov, or visit one of my offices in person.