WASHINGTON, DC – House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) today cited this morning’s disappointing GDP report as further evidence of President Obama’s failure to lead and the need for presidential leadership that will lead Washington towards solutions that get our economy moving again:

“Weak economic growth is the result of weak leadership from President Obama, whose failed policies have hurt small businesses and driven jobs overseas while Americans are left asking ‘where are the jobs?’  Experts and leaders in both parties know we won’t have economic growth until we address the cloud of debt that is hanging over our economy.   We certainly won’t have growth if we impose President Obama’s tax hike on small businesses which, according to Ernst & Young, would destroy more than 700,000 jobs.  Listening to the American people, the House has voted to stop the president’s small business tax hike while acting on long-term solutions for economic growth, including beginning the process of reforming our tax code, reducing spending, saving Medicare, and reforming other critical programs that are heading toward bankruptcy. 

“For his part, President Obama hasn’t prodded Democratic leaders in the Senate to act on House-passed jobs bills, avert the fiscal cliff, or produce a budget – a fundamental responsibility it hasn’t fulfilled in more than three years.  Any American within earshot of the president’s campaign promises should judge their credibility against his failure to lead.  Middle-class families deserve a president who will get Washington moving on solutions that bring jobs home, clear the cloud of debt, and foster long-term economic growth.”