Congress spent the week on recess as the federal budget stalemate drags on. Citing a ballooning federal deficit, Republicans are pushing to reduce the budget by $61 billion over previous levels in return for supporting bills to keep the federal government running through Sept. 30. Democrats have agreed to a series of smaller cuts to keep government running, but continue to resist, for example, the other party’s push to cut funding for abortion. They cite economists’ claims that cutting the economy now could stifle the country’s recovery, as opposed to waiting a year. Congress will resume this week, so stay tuned: The current “continuing resolution” that is keeping the government running expires April 8.

— Nick Budnick, The Bulletin

How to contact your lawmakers

U.S. SENATE

• Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore.107 Russell Senate Office BuildingWashington, D.C. 20510Phone: 202-224-3753Web: http://merkley.senate.govBend office131 NW Hawthorne Ave., Suite 208Bend, OR , 97701Phone: 541-318-1298

• Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore.223 Dirksen Senate Office BuildingWashington, D.C. 20510Phone: 202-224-5244Web: http://wyden.senate.govBend office131 NW Hawthorne Ave., Suite 107Bend, OR 97701Phone: 541-330-9142

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

• Rep. Greg Walden, R-Hood River2182 Rayburn House Office BuildingWashington, D.C. 20515Phone: 202-225-6730Web: http://walden.house.gov/Bend office1051 NW Bond St., Suite 400Bend, OR 97701Phone: 541-389-4408

SENATE

• Sen. Chris Telfer, R-Dist. 27(portion of Deschutes County)900 Court St. N.E., S-423Salem, OR 97301Phone: 503-986-1727E-mail: sen.christelfer@state.or.usWeb: www.leg.state.or.us/telfer

• Sen. Doug Whitsett, R-Dist. 28 (Crook, Klamath, Lake counties and portions of Deschutes County)900 Court St. N.E., S-303Salem, OR 97301Phone: 503-986-1728E-mail: sen.dougwhitsett@state.or.usWeb: www.leg.state.or.us/whitsett

• Sen. Ted Ferrioli, R-Dist. 30 (Baker, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Jefferson, Malheur, Sherman, Wasco, Wheeler counties and portions of Clackamas, Deschutes and Marion counties)900 Court St. N.E., S-323Salem, OR 97301Phone: 503-986-1950E-mail: sen.tedferrioli@state.or.usWeb: www.leg.state.or.us/ferrioli

HOUSE

• Rep. Gene Whisnant, R-Dist. 53(portion of Deschutes County)900 Court St. N.E., H-471Salem, OR 97301Phone: 503-986-1453E-mail: rep.genewhisnant@state.or.usWeb: www.leg.state.or.us/whisnant

• Rep. Jason Conger, R-Dist. 54(portion of Deschutes County)900 Court St. N.E., H-477Salem, OR 97301Phone: 503-986-1454E-mail: rep.jasonconger@state.or.usWeb: www.leg.state.or.us/conger

• Rep. Mike McLane, R-Dist. 55(Crook County and portions of Deschutes County)900 Court St. N.E., H-385Salem, OR 97301Phone: 503-986-1455E-mail: rep.mikemclane@state.or.usWeb: www.leg.state.or.us/mclane

• Rep. John Huffman, R-Dist. 59(Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, Wheeler, Jefferson counties, most of Grant County, and small portions of Deschutes, Clackamas and Marion counties)900 Court St. N.E., H-476Salem, OR 97301Phone: 503-986-1459E-mail: rep.johnhuffman@state.or.usWeb: www.leg.state.or.us/huffman