Washington Post Op-Ed: Republicans’ Road BackPosted by GOP Leader Press Office on November 7th, 2008
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/06/AR2008110602568.html While Republicans are disappointed by Tuesday’s results, we respect the American people’s decision and pledge to work with President-elect Barack Obama when it is in the best interest of our nation. Some Democrats and pundits may want to read Tuesday’s results as a repudiation of conservatism — a sign that Republicans should give Democrats on both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue a free ride. I don’t see it that way, and neither should Republicans across the country. The next four years are critical to the future of our families, our economy and our country, and we have a responsibility to rebuild our party by fighting for the principles of freedom, opportunity, security and individual liberty — the principles upon which the GOP was founded. Recommitting ourselves to these principles means two things: vigorously fighting a far-left agenda that is out of step with the wishes of the vast majority of Americans and, more important, promoting superior Republican alternatives that prove that we offer a better vision for our country’s future. America is still a center-right country. This election was neither a referendum in favor of the left’s approach to key issues nor a mandate for big government. Obama campaigned by masking liberal policies with moderate rhetoric to make his agenda more palatable to voters. Soon he will seek to advance these policies through a Congress that was purchased by liberal special interests such as unions, trial lawyers and radical environmentalists, and he’ll have a fight on his hands when he does so. In record numbers, Americans voted on Tuesday for a skillful presidential nominee promising change, but “change” should not be confused with a license to raise taxes, drive up wasteful government spending, weaken our security, or give more power to Washington, Big Labor bosses and the trial bar. Americans did not vote for higher taxes to fund a redistribution of wealth; drastic cuts in funding for our troops; the end of secret ballots for workers participating in union elections; more costly obstacles to American energy production; or the imposition of government-run health care on employers and working families. Republicans have a responsibility to offer a better way. We must reaffirm Americans’ faith in our party by reminding them why ours traditionally has been a party of reform rooted in freedom and security. This will not happen overnight. We must make the case one issue at a time, offering solutions to our country’s biggest challenges to earn back the American people’s trust and rebuild our majority. Our most immediate challenge is creating new jobs and getting our economy moving in the right direction again. While Republicans have put forward a plan for economic growth and job creation, congressional Democrats are proposing hundreds of billions of dollars in new government spending masquerading as “economic stimulus.” To rebuild 401(k) plans and keep jobs here at home, we’ll offer tax relief for families and small businesses. And to lower fuel costs and create as many as a million new jobs, we’ll offer a comprehensive plan for more American energy. We’ll also offer health-care reforms that empower patients and doctors, promote a strong military that keeps us on offense to protect the American people, and demand fiscal and ethical reforms to fix a broken Washington tarnished by scandals on both sides of the aisle. We have a responsibility to the American people to make sure our ideals are heard, and we expect these to be vigorous debates. I wasn’t born a Republican. I grew up outside Cincinnati as one of 12 children. Our dad ran a bar. I became a Republican because I believe that if you work hard and believe in yourself, there is nothing you can’t achieve. That’s the American dream. And I look forward to leading Republicans in fighting for it. If we return to our roots, to our belief in freedom, opportunity, security and individual liberty, our party will come back stronger than ever. In Congress, Republicans will work across party lines to find solutions to the immense challenges that confront our nation. But we’ll also stand firmly against policies that violate our principles — the same principles held by the vast majority of American families. We Republicans must renew our nation’s trust in us by offering better alternatives rooted in the reforms that define our party and by fighting for the American dream. Baird on his Fellow Democrats: “We ought to just say [the surge] worked.”Posted by GOP Leader Press Office on August 27th, 2008
In a Seattle Times column today entitled “Iraq Buildup Succeeds, Brian Baird Still an Outcast,” Rep. Brian Baird (D-WA) speaks about his support for the surge last year:
On the response from his Democrat colleagues, Baird said:
Links for May 6, 2008: Democrats’ Broken PromisesPosted by Nick on May 6th, 2008
Democrats Plan Breaking Deficit Discipline Promise Again (AP)
War funding would break Dem promises (Politico)
Members outraged over flexibility of pay-go rules (The Hill)
Podcast UpdatePosted by Nick on April 9th, 2008
Audio from the April 9th Republican Leadership Stakeout can now be found on the House Republican Leader Podcast. If iTunes is installed on your computer, you can click here to subscribe. MORE: Past episodes and more information on Podcasts Which Side of the Border Fence are Democrats On?Posted by Nick on April 8th, 2008
News reports today indicate that House Democrats will attempt to block the construction of a border fence designed to stop the flow of illegal immigrants into the U.S.:
This is in sharp contrast to the rhetoric we’ve heard previously from the Democratic leadership:
While Democrats break their promises on border security, House Republicans will continue fighting tosecure our borders from illegal entry and enforce our laws swiftly and effectively. MORE: On General Petraeus’ Testimony and Continued Progress in IraqPosted by GOP Leader Press Office on April 7th, 2008
Today in a Townhall.com Op-ed, Leader Boehner previews the upcoming testimony by General David Petraeus:
Also today in a Wall Street Journal Op-ed, Senators Joe Lieberman (I- CT) and Lindsay Graham (R-SC) further outline the dramatic achievements of General Petraeus and the troops he commands:
Stand Firm on IraqPosted by Nick on April 3rd, 2008
A Washington Times editorial today echoed House Republicans in stating that undeniable progress is being made by our troops in Iraq:
MORE: Boehner Delivers Remarks to American Legion (4/1/008) Boehner Statement on the Fifth Anniversary of the Iraq War (3/19/08)
Links for April 1, 2008Posted by GOP Leader Press Office on April 1st, 2008
GOP to go on Iraq message offensive (Politico) GOP aims to blunt Democrats’ Iraq stance (The Washington Times)
Republicans Launch Salvo in Message War Over Iraq (CQ) Bernanke meets with House GOP leaders (The Washington Times) Discharge Petition on Bipartisan Border Security MeasurePosted by Nick on March 26th, 2008
On March 14th, Rep. Thelma Drake (R-VA) introduced a discharge petition in effort to bring the bipartisan Secure America with Verification and Enforcement (SAVE) Act to the House floor for a vote. Originally introduced by Rep. Heath Shuler (D-NC), H.R. 4088 further strengthens America’s borders while ensuring employers verify that their workers are legal citizens. Since its introduction, the SAVE Act has been stalled in eight House committees awaiting consideration. A “discharge petition” is a legislative tool provided under official House rules by which a bill can be forced onto the House floor for a vote if a majority of House Members sign a petition in support of it. Under House rules, Members have the right to circulate a discharge petition as a defense against heavy-handed or unfair tactics by the leadership of the party that controls the House. The Democratic leadership in the House has refused to allow the bipartisan border security bill to come to the floor for a vote. But if a sufficient number of House Members sign the Drake discharge petition, the Democratic leadership will be forced to allow it to come to the floor for a vote. Click here to see who has signed the petition. MORE: Boehner Backs Drake Discharge Petition to Force Vote on Bipartisan Border Security Bill (3-11-08) Rep. Peter Hoeksta: Pelosi’s Vacation AlibiPosted by Nick on March 24th, 2008
Today in National Review Online, Rep. Peter Hoeskstra asks why Speaker Pelosi and the Democratic leadership refuse to allow a vote on the bi-partisan Senate-passed FISA bill:
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