Price Comments on Final Adjournment of the House

Press Release

Congressman Tom Price (R-GA) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives adjourned for the 111th Congress.

"The 111th Congress may be history, but its job-killing agenda will weigh down our economy until better policies prevail," said Congressman Price. "Republicans will use our new majority to tear down barriers to job creation, prevent tax increases that would harm the economy, and get the budget on a path to balance by cutting spending. We will work diligently to repeal ObamaCare and replace it with patient-centered, positive solutions to reduce costs and improve quality.

"No longer will Americans have to wait until a law is passed to learn how it affects them. The country will have a House majority next year that will listen to and respect the views of the public. It will be a majority that aims to reduce spending and curtail Washington's interference in people's lives."

NOTE: Some of the "lowlights" of the past two years are listed below.

ObamaCare: This piece of Bad Medicine, with its unconstitutional individual mandate, was enacted into law over the vociferous opposition of the public. Instead of improving health care, it puts the government in charge and will reduce Americans' access to quality, affordable care.

Failed Stimulus: Democrats promised their trillion-dollar package would keep unemployment below 8% (fail) and that 90% of the jobs would be in the private sector (fail again).

Tax Rate Uncertainty: Despite having years to prevent taxes from increasing in 2011, Democrats delayed until the very last minute. The resulting uncertainty has been an added burden on families and small businesses.

Refusal to Write a Budget: Despite controlling a huge majority, House Democrats refused to pass a budget for the federal government this year -- the first such failure since the current budget process began in the 1970s.

National Energy Tax: In the midst of a horrible recession, House Democrats voted for a job-killing national energy tax.

Taxpayer-Funded Abortion: The President's Executive Order notwithstanding, ObamaCare allows for taxpayer-funded abortion. After all, as one House Democrat put it, "an Executive Order can't change the law."

Failing to Read the Bill: The 111th Congress often refused to take the time to read and publicize legislation before voting on it. Prominent examples include the 2009 stimulus package, multiple omnibus spending packages, and the Waxman-Markey national energy tax.

"Astroturf" and "Un-American": When outraged Americans began to speak out against the Democrats' agenda at Tea Parties and in town hall meetings, House Democrats referred to them as "Astroturf" and "Un-American."

Trillion-Dollar Deficits: The 2009 federal budget deficit skyrocketed to a record $1.4 trillion under total Democrat control, mainly because of spending.

Dodd-Frank Permanent Bailout Bill: Instead of ending bailouts and truly reforming the financial sector, the Democrats institutionalized too-big-to-fail and ignored Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

The Lame Duck Session: Even after taking an historic "shellacking" at the polls, Democrats pushed on with their agenda during a lame duck session of Congress. Lame duck legislation of note includes multiple attempts to pass bloated, earmark-laden spending bills, amnesty for illegal immigrants, a repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", a broad expansion of FDA power, and the tightening of federal control over education.

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