House Republicans Take Action On The Pledge To America

Statement

America is at a critical crossroads and now is the time to switch from uncertainty to prosperity.

Using your ideas, House Republicans drafted the Pledge to America. This document is not only a new governing agenda, but a new way forward for the nation. The majority of the ideas in the Pledge could be implemented today and would have bipartisan support if Speaker Pelosi would allow them to come to the House floor.

Despite opposition from a majority of Washington Democrats, we have already held four votes related to the Pledge. They included a vote to reduce spending by the federal government by more than $100 billion (to pre-stimulus, pre-bailout Fiscal Year 2008 levels); two YouCut votes to rein in spending that would have saved taxpayers over $35 billion, including a vote to end the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP); and a vote to repeal some egregious parts of the health care law and enact real medical liability reform to reduce cost. Unfortunately, we were opposed at every turn by the majority of Congressional Democrats.

As you may know, Democrats in Congress decided to call it quits and head home without passing a federal budget or preventing the $3.8 trillion tax increase facing nearly every taxpayer on January 1, 2010. At a time when 1 in 10 Kentuckians is unemployed, our deficit for the year is $1.3 trillion and the national debt exceeds $13 trillion. This is unacceptable and it has to stop.

When Democratic leaders in Congress presented the vote to adjourn without passing legislation to address these issues now, I voted "no" because Congress had failed its most basic duties to the taxpayers.

Uncertainty is one of the most severe plagues on our economic recovery. The looming $3.8 trillion tax increase is one of the most significant sources of uncertainty. As a result, private sector money that could be invested in job creation is sitting on the sidelines. Small businesses are playing defense against an overreaching federal government that is impeding our economic recovery, rather than fostering a stable environment that promotes investment and job creation.

On January 1st, hard-working American families and small businesses will be faced with a massive job-killing tax increase. These devastating tax hikes have been estimated to cost our country an estimated average of 693,000 jobs per year. This is not the change we need at a time when unemployment has remained above 9 percent for sixteen months.

The time to act is now. Speaker Pelosi's adjournment vote confirms her plan for an aggressive Lame Duck session. During this session, it is possible they will attempt to jam through a national energy tax, more deficit spending and other controversial bills. Rather than taking the crucial votes now to begin stabilizing our economy, Democrats have made it clear that they will wait until after Election Day to further their tax and spend agenda in an attempt to avoid responsibility and accountability for their reckless and out-of-touch legislative priorities.

The Pledge to America represents a new direction in Washington that will put our nation on track towards fiscal responsibility, economic growth and accountable and transparent governing. I encourage you to read the Pledge at http://pledge.gop.gov and continue to make your voice heard.

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