HOUSE Republican Leader John Boehner

Republicans Hit the Airwaves, Calling for Bipartisan Stimulus

Over the last several weeks House Republicans have taken their concerns about the cost and impact of the Congressional Democrats’ slow moving $1.1 trillion “stimulus” bill directly to the American people through press conferences, radio interviews, and TV appearances.   (See chart below from Politico)

The House GOP’s message is clearly resonating with voters - support for the Congressional Democrats’ “stimulus” plan is dropping, according to a fresh Rasmussen poll.

House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) has repeatedly stated that the House Republicans are committed to being the party of better solutions and not just the party of “no.”  In that spirit, yesterday Republican Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) and Rep. David Camp (R-MI) offered a Republican substitute on the floor today that would create twice as many jobs at half the cost.  The Camp-Cantor plan would create 6.2 million new American jobs over the next two years.

Republicans stand ready to help President Obama craft a truly bipartisan stimulus package that can make the American people proud.

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No to Pay Discrimination; No to Frivolous Lawsuits

The House is slated today to vote on the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (S. 181), which purports to eliminate “pay discrimination” by ending the 180-day statute of limitations on filing a claim of sex-based wage discrimination.  Instead, it would pay back key political allies of the Democratic Majority by paving the way for endless frivolous lawsuits that have more to do with advancing the trial lawyers’ interests than in ensuring that no one is denied “equal pay for equal work.”

House Republicans are unified in their opposition to workplace discrimination, their support of American civil rights laws which protect against discrimination in the workplace, and their commitment to the timely resolution of discrimination claims.  In a policy statement today, the House Republican Leadership outlined the GOP opposition to the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act:

Meaningful statutes of limitations in fact-intensive discrimination cases are crucial to the fair administration of justice.  The prompt assertion of employment discrimination permits employers to defend against claims that arise from employment decisions instead of having to litigate claims that are years or decades old.  Moreover, effective statutes of limitations benefit employees by encouraging the prompt discovery, assertion and resolution of employment discrimination claims so that workplace discrimination can be remedied without delay.

Others have voiced their concern about the provisions of the so-called “Fair Pay Act”:

The Wall Street Journal:

For the tort bar, this is pure gold.  It would create a new legal business in digging up ancient workplace grievances.  This would also be made easier by the bill’s new definition of discrimination. Companies could be sued not merely for outright discrimination but for unintentional acts that result in pay disparities.

Since these supposed wrongs could be compounded over decades, the potential awards would be huge.  Most companies would feel compelled to settle such claims rather than endure the expense and difficulty of defending allegations about long-ago behavior.  The recipe here is file a suit, get a payday.  And the losers would be current and future employees, whose raises would be smaller as companies allocate more earnings to settle claims that might pop up years after litigating employees had departed.

Read the rest of this entry »

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Washington Post Op-Ed: Republicans’ Road Back

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.

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House Republicans continue to call for “All of the Above”

Yesterday another week passed and with it another opportunity for Speaker Pelosi and the House Democratic leadership to offer any meaningful solutions to America’s continuing energy crisis.  Although the House stands in recess, two dozen Republicans gathered on the House floor—as they did through the month of August—to demand a vote on H.R. 6566, the American Energy Act.  Using an “all of the above” approach, the American Energy Act is a comprehensive bill to lower gas prices, encourage conservation, promote alternative fuels, and increase American energy production.  House Republicans made the point loud and clear that when the House returns following Hurricane Ike, Speaker Pelosi owes the American people the vote she’s denied them on comprehensive energy reform.

Heard on the House Floor today:

Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA):

“There is both a long-term and short-term approach to energy independence. Long-term we can expect greater use of new technology such as lithium ion batteries and hybrid cars, but we also have to realize that the technology isn’t there yet. We need more domestic energy production.”

Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI):

“While back in my district, I met a woman who works as a nurse in an Ann Arbor Hospital and has to make a 100 mile round trip to work each day. She asked her supervisor if there was an alternative to having to make that expensive trip each day. She now works two days a week for 16 hours each day, so that she can reduce the cost of her expensive commute. When I asked her what she would tell Speaker Pelosi, she said that she wanted all of the above.”

Rather than offering solutions supported by a wide majority of Americans, it now appears that House Democrats will offer a hastily-crafted “no-energy” energy bill written in secret by Democratic leaders and their special interest allies.  A “greatest hits” of previously-failed policies and new bad ideas, this latest scheme manages to further lock away American energy, discourage the use of nuclear, clean coal, and alternative fuels, while raising taxes and increasing electricity costs.

While Speaker Pelosi works to provide political cover for a divided Democratic caucus, House Republicans will continue working to provide relief to families struggling with high energy costs by promoting an “all of the above” strategy:

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Gov. Palin with House GOP on the American Energy Tour [3:30]

In July, House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) and a delegation of 10 House Republicans completed their American Energy Tour, which made a stop at a renewable energy lab in Colorado as well as several energy-rich locations in Alaska to highlight meaningful solutions to help reduce gas prices and break America’s dependence on foreign sources of energy.  On the trip to Alaska, the GOP members had the pleasure of meeting and discussing the importance of an “all of the above” energy strategy with Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK) — a photo on the trip below:

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8-14 GOP Uprising Live Blog [2:40]

Republican Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO) joined his colleagues again today and delivered closing remarks saying:

“More than half of the Republicans have come back to this chamber, leaving behind obligations and constituent meetings…to come back and talk about the number one issue, and that is energy.  We are doing all we can to say Congress should come back and finish its work.”

As families and small businesses continue to feel the pain at the pump, how much longer will Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats defy the will of the American people for more American-made energy?  House Republicans will continue to fight for an “all of the above” energy plan to lower gas prices on the House floor and in local communities across the country.   Please check back here tomorrow and follow Leader Boehner on Twitter for updates.

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8-14 GOP Uprising Live Blog [11:56]

House Republicans continue their historic revolt today on the House floor:

Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL):

“When I came to congress eleven years ago, gas was ten dollars a barrel.  Today it’s 115 dollars a barrel.  All Republicans are saying is this is a bad trend.”

Rep. Trent  Franks (R-AZ):

“This country has enormous ability to develop our natural resources if we are just given a chance.  It is astonishing how quickly American ingenuity works when its unleashed.”

Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-GA)

“Speaker Pelosi said she is saving the planet.  That’s a noble thought, but I think we should save the United States first.”

Energy in the news:

Townhall.com
Newt: Idle Leases - Or Addled Minds?
Roll Call
Republicans Eye Pelosi’s Rhetoric on Drilling
CongressDaily
Republicans Threaten Renewal Of Offshore Drilling Bans
USA Today
Drivers still leaving cars in park
Editorial: As energy demands grow, nuclear deserves new look
Los Angeles Times
American motorists drove less in June
Cincinnati Enquirer
GOP lawmakers protest
Talk Radio News Service
Republicans defend Congress from ‘liberal coastal elites’
CNNMoney.com
Democrats distort oil drilling debate
Baltimore Sun
Pelosi leans to offshore drilling
Philadelphia Inquirer
Oil drilling off the Jersey Shore a possibility
Mid Columbia Tri City Herald
Rep. Hastings says drilling the answer to energy self-sufficiency
Newnan Times-Herald
Westmoreland’s message: ‘Drill here, drill now’
The Missoulian
Rehberg continues criticism of Congress over drilling
KLTV-TV
Hensarling Asking For Your Signatures On Energy Petition
Joplin Globe
Gas prices on agenda as congressman meets with law enforcement
WJRT-TV
Congressman urges push on new energy bill

 

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8-13 GOP Uprising Live Blog [3:33]

Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL):

“I represent a poor rural district in Alabama, $4 a gallon gas is not an option in our lives.”

“This high energy price trend will not end because India and China have over a billion folks, now they have money, and now they want energy.”

“Renewable energy is our future. The budget is $3 trillion a year, of that we spend only $1.8 billion on research and development of renewable energy. This shows we aren’t committed to renewable energy.”

Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL):

“We have had 105 Republican Members of Congress come here in the last 9 days to speak. Not one Democrat has joined us…not even to debate.”

Rep. Geoff Davis (R-KY):

“We have to end our moratorium on offshore drilling. We are the only industrialized nation not going after their offshore resources.”

“One of my Democrat colleagues from the northwest coast said $10 a gallon gas was great because that’s what it would take to make Americans switch to green energy. In the heartland, I know $10 a gallon gas means joblessness and destitution.”

“We live in a changing world, without leadership on the energy issue, we face a bleak time. To stand idly by and do nothing is to abdicate our responsibility. We must act. “

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8-11 GOP Uprising Live Blog [1:40]

Rep. Mike Conaway (R-TX):

“The American people have a particular sense of fairness.  Today’s debate is not about forcing people to like drilling for oil, it’s about having a vote, and allowing the American people to express their will.”

“Ronald Reagan was a man of many quotes.  One of his most famous was given in Berlin, while standing in front of one of the enduring symbols of communism: the Berlin Wall.  Fed up with the silent suffering of millions of East Berliners, President Reagan demanded: “Mr. Gorbechov, tear down this wall!”. Today we stand in the People’s House, where our public debate has been silenced and we also demand: Speaker Pelosi, turn on these lights and give us a vote!”

Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA):

“As the saying goes, 90 percent of life is showing up. We’re not even showing up. We usually pass all the appropriations bills by July 4. This year, we’ve passed one, and we’re in August recess.”

“You may not agree with what we’ve proposed to do about energy. But with the American people suffering under $4-per-gallon gas, we at least should be here sitting around the table trying to work out some kind of bipartisan solution.”

“We’re not being productive enough. If we have time to rename post offices and pass monkey laws and honor National Carriage Driver Week, then we have time to address the serious problem of gas prices.”

Rep. Tom Price (R-VA):

“Normally in a debate, the Republicans speak, then the Democrats speak, and then we have a vote.  That’s all we are asking for here today.  We are not wedded to one specific solution, what we are wedded to is the deliberative process.  What we ask of you Madam Speaker is to call the House back into session and have a vote on American resources.”

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House Republican Uprising Live Blog Day Three [1:50]

Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-MT)

“Montana is a warehouse of energy. We want the ability to expand our production to solve our problems but people are standing in the way.”

“The American Energy Act is an all of the above plan. We aren’t picking winners or losers. Let American ingenuity pick the energy of the future.”

Also today in The Hill:

A growing majority of Americans believe that Congress should stay in session until an up-or-down vote is held on drilling, according to a poll released Wednesday…68 percent of Americans want a drilling vote before the end of the 110th Congress…the GOP is winning generic ballots by 12 percent on energy policies when the Republican and Democratic plans are compared…

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