1150 Seventeenth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Post-Event Summary
AEI President Arthur Brooks was joined by Rep. Jim Jordan and Rep. Steve Scalise, chairman and chairman-elect of the Republican Study Committee, respectively, for an event on Tuesday to discuss the challenges and successes of the 112th Congress. Representatives Jordan and Scalise also looked ahead to the potential policy issues of 113th Congress, examining the role that the leading conservative caucus in the House of Representatives will play.
Rep. Jordan began by reflecting on the Republican Study Committee's (RSC) engagement in the policy battles of the 112th Congress, particularly the super-committee negotiations during summer 2011. Rep. Scalise contended that the House must embrace a “visionary agenda” in the 113th Congress that prioritizes tax reform and curbs entitlement growth as a means of achieving a balanced budget. The representatives agreed that the greatest threat to future generations of Americans is government-led redistributive spending, which, according to Rep. Scalise, stifles individual opportunity.
Among the many other topics discussed by Representatives Jordan and Scalise were the fiscal cliff, sequestration, and immigration reform. Rep. Jordan concluded by emphasizing that the RSC must continue to advocate for the policy proposals that reflect the committee's fundamental values, because "if we stick with our principles, we will arrive at the right policy."
--John VerWey
Event Description
Since 1973, the Republican Study Committee (RSC) has been the key membership organization for conservatives in the US House of Representatives. Today, after an election cycle that failed to drastically alter the political landscape, the RSC will continue to influence key policy areas that will define conservatism for years to come.
At this AEI event, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), the current chairman of the Republican Study Committee, and the incoming chairman, Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA), will share their thoughts on the future of the conservative movement.
If you are unable to attend, we welcome you to watch the event live on this page. Full video will be posted within 24 hours.
3:15 PM
Registration
3:30 PM
Introduction:
Arthur C. Brooks, AEI
Panelists:
Rep. Jim Jordan (OH-04), Chairman of the Republican Study Committee
Rep. Steve Scalise (LA-01), Chairman-Elect of the Republican Study Committee
Moderator:
Arthur C. Brooks, AEI
4:30 PM
Adjournment
For more information, please contact John VerWey at John.VerWey, 202.862.5839.
For media inquiries, please contact MediaServices@aei.org, 202.862.5829.
Speaker Biographies
Arthur C. Brooks has been the president of AEI since January 1, 2009. Previously, he was the Louis A. Bantle Professor of Business and Government Policy at Syracuse University. He is the author of 10 books and hundreds of articles on topics ranging from the economics of the arts to military operations research. His most recent book is the New York Times bestseller “The Road to Freedom: How to Win the Fight for Free Enterprise” (Basic Books, 2012). Other books include “The Battle” (Basic Books, May 2010), “Gross National Happiness” (Basic Books, 2008), “Social Entrepreneurship” (Prentice-Hall, 2008) and “Who Really Cares: The Surprising Truth about Compassionate Conservatism” (Basic Books, 2006). Before pursuing his work in public policy, Brooks spent 12 years as a professional French hornist with the City Orchestra of Barcelona and other ensembles.
Rep. Jim Jordan is currently serving his third term representing Ohio's 4th congressional district in the House of Representatives. In Congress, Rep. Jordan has emerged as a prominent defender of taxpayers through his work on spending issues. As chairman of the Republican Study Committee's Budget and Spending Task Force, he introduced the only balanced-budget alternative to President Obama's budget in 2009. He continues to support making the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts permanent and has offered a series of budget and appropriations amendments aimed at stemming the excessive growth of government spending. As one of the most conservative members of Congress, Rep. Jordan has earned recognition from Citizens against Government Waste, the Friend of the Taxpayer Award from Americans for Tax Reform, and praise from the American Conservative Union as one of the "Best and Brightest." He serves on the House Judiciary Committee, the House Budget Committee, and the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. He has chaired the Republican Study Committee in the 112th Congress since January 2011.
Rep. Steve Scalise was first elected to Congress in a special election in May 2008. Scalise was overwhelmingly re-elected in 2008, 2010, and again in November 2012 to continue serving Louisiana’s First Congressional District in the House of Representatives. Scalise is known as a staunch conservative who advocates for the principles of fiscal discipline, lower taxes, a comprehensive national energy strategy, a balanced federal budget, and conservative values. As a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Scalise has led the effort to push for a strong national energy strategy that increases the supply of American oil and natural gas to lower gas prices at the pump while reducing US dependence on Middle Eastern oil. He was recently elected by his peers to serve as chairman of the Republican Study Committee in the 113th Congress.
