Pence Delivers Weekly Republican Address

In the Weekly Republican Address, Congressman Mike Pence calls for immediate enactment of Republicans' Pledge to America in the face of continued uncertainty surrounding the state of the economy. Rep. Pence talks about how this governing agenda includes clear and positive plans to help create jobs, cut spending and make Congress more open and accountable. The Pledge offers a new way forward that hasn't been tried in Washington -- an approach focused on ending uncertainty instead of creating more of it and an approach focused on cutting spending instead of accelerating it. Text of the address follows; audio of the address is available here and video of the address is available here. You can download the Weekly Republican Address here.

"Hello, I'm Mike Pence of Indiana.

"These are difficult times in the life of this nation. Families are hurting, American businesses are struggling. In the city and on the farm, the economic policies of this administration have failed.

"Wherever I go, everyday Americans tell me they're tired of runaway federal spending, bailouts and takeovers.

"And they tell me they're worried that everything they've worked for could someday be gone.

"This week, the world rejoiced as 33 miners emerged safely from months of dark captivity in a deep Chilean mine.

"Today, many Americans feel trapped under the weight of historic spending and government mandates.

"Every day, they see Washington putting our children and grandchildren deeper in a hole of historic debt.

"Something has got to give.

"Today, our national debt stands at more than $13 trillion -- that's more than $44,000 of debt for every man, woman and child in this country.

"The administration promised that if Congress borrowed a trillion dollars from future generations, their "stimulus' bill would keep unemployment below eight percent. Today unemployment remains at a heartbreaking 9.6 percent, making this the longest period that unemployment has been at or above 9.5 percent since the Great Depression.

"In September, the economy lost another 95,000 jobs. More than 14 million Americans are out of work and millions more have just quit looking for a job. The American people know more spending won't mean more jobs.

"But the president and Democrats in Congress just aren't listening.

"And to add insult to injury, they want to add a tax increase to their failed economic plans. That's right. After months of deficit spending and government takeovers, Democrats in Washington want to raise taxes in the worst economy in decades.

"Despite the fact that some in their party were willing to vote to prevent any tax increase, Democrats in Congress chose to leave Washington to try and save their jobs without even allowing a vote to protect the jobs of millions of Americans threatened by higher taxes.

"If Congress fails to act, every American will see a tax increase in less than 100 days. 88 million taxpayers in the lowest bracket will face a minimum tax increase of $503. Middle income families will face an average tax increase of $1,540. And small business owners will face higher taxes on income, capital gains and inheritance.

"You know, Washington, DC, doesn't tax too little, Washington, DC, spends too much. Raising taxes on job creators won't create jobs.

"No American should see a tax increase in January and Republicans are determined to oppose any effort to raise taxes on any American in this difficult economy.

"Uncertainty is the enemy of our prosperity. The American people should not have to wait one more day for Congress to act to prevent one of the largest tax increases in American history from taking effect.

"Speaker Nancy Pelosi should call Congress back into session immediately and allow an up-or-down vote on preserving all current tax rates.

"The prosperity of the American people is more important than the political fortunes of any politician or any political party.

"This administration suggests that our choice is between the failed economic policies of the present and the failed economic policies of the past, but there is a better way.

"Last month, I joined my House colleagues at a hardware store in Virginia to unveil our Pledge to America, a specific set of proposals that could be enacted today to start getting federal spending under control and get this economy moving again. The Pledge to America calls on Congress to immediately cut spending back to pre-"stimulus,' pre-bailout levels, to refund unspent "stimulus' funds and to preserve and promote the kind of tax relief that will create American jobs.

"We can get federal spending under control and reform Congress. We can let the American people keep more of what they earn and create jobs. We can return our national government to the common sense and common values of the American people.

"You can read more about our agenda at pledge.gop.gov. We will build a stronger and better America.

"Our best days are yet to come. Thanks for listening."

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