Locals Visit Rep. Smith's Whiting Office, Discuss Debt Ceiling

As the debt ceiling debate rages on in Washington, citizens around the country took to President Barack Obama’s call to reach out to their Congressional representatives to let them know to get a deal done. 

In Whiting, a small gathering formed outside the office of Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) this week, with some showing support and some showing disapproval for the Congressman’s recent vote in favor of the largely Republican backed Cut, Cap and Balance solution to the debt crisis.

While the discussions in Washington may have seen some partisan bickering and gridlock, the atmosphere outside of Smith’s Lacey Road office on Tuesday was described as “peaceful” by Whiting resident Tom Mooney, who joined in the dialog outside.

“I was really amazed at it,” Mooney said, adding that the about one dozen residents at the office — even when they disagreed — held mostly open and respectful conversations.

Calls to Smith’s office for comment on the gathering and his support for the bill have not been returned as of press time.

Smith has been the representative for New Jersey’s Fourth Congressional District since 1981. He represents Manchester and Lakehurst, along with various communities from Ocean, Monmouth, Mercer and Burlington counties.

The bill passed the House on July 22 before being rejected by the Senate. Both votes were largely along party lines, with Republicans primarily in favor of Cut, Cap and Balance. Most Democrats voted against the measure.

The bill tied raising the debt ceiling to substantial cuts in spending, a cap on future spending at 18 percent of GDP, and the passage of a balanced budget amendment. 

No solution has been reached as of Saturday morning, the House is expected to vote on a new plan endorsed by Speaker John Boehner.  Some questions remain on whether the bill will pass the House, as some Tea Party Republicans want to see a bill that goes further with cuts. 

Even if the bill passes the House, it is expected to be voted down by the Democratic led Senate.

When asked which side he would blame if the country were to default on its obligations, Mooney said “the people."

"I just fear that the people won’t take the time to express themselves,” he said.

Both parties continue to work amid the looming Aug. 2 deadline, at which time the United States would be unable to pay all of its bills if there is no increase to the debt ceiling.

Though Washington politicians remain unable to find common ground, Mooney said in an email that the sight at Smith's office was nonetheless encouraging. 

"If this is how the discourse is conducted through out the country, the nation is in good hands," he wrote. "The peoples' hands."