Republican Leadership Press Conference
Republican Leadership Press Conference
July 26, 2011
Participants:
Speaker John Boehner (R-OH)
Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA)
Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-CA)
Conference Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-TX)
Conference Vice Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA)
Chairman Hensarling:
“The president’s speech last night, I believe, was historic. I do not recall the last time a President of the United States used a nationally televised address not to tell the American people what he was for, but to tell the American people what he was against.
“Seven days out from his August 2 deadline, there is still no plan to deal with the debt crisis from the president. What we heard from the president again was a call for balance, but there is a tale of two balances.The president’s idea of balance is, ‘Republicans, I want you to raise taxes on small businesses and families to pay for my spending spree.’ House Republicans’ idea of balance: ‘Mr. President, we will raise the debt ceiling, but only if you agree to cut up the credit cards.’ Nothing has changed in this debate.
“I also found it quite interesting that the president would quote Thomas Jefferson, allude to Ronald Reagan—both of whom supported a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution—and the President of the United States last night was silent on the issue that could solve this problem once and for all.
“Again Mr. President, we have heard it before, we know you want to get this done before the next election. But this is not about the next election; this is about the next generation.”
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For additional information, contact:
House Republican Conference Press Office (conferencepress@mail.house.gov)
