New Governing Agenda, Built by Listening, Focuses on Creating Jobs, Cutting Spending, and Reforming Congress; GOP Presses for Action Before Congress Adjourns

Contact: Michael Steel, Kevin Smith, 202-225-4000 

STERLING, Va., Sept. 23 /Standard Newswire/ -- House Republicans today put forth "A Pledge to America," a new governing agenda built by listening to the American people and focused on addressing their top priorities -- including creating jobs, cutting spending, and changing the way Congress works.  This new governing agenda was unveiled during a press event at Tart Lumber Company, a family-owned small business located in Sterling, VA.  Republicans stressed that this governing agenda could be implemented right now if President Obama and Democratic Leaders would allow it, and called for action before Congress adjourns.

"Across America, the people see a government in Washington that isn't listening, doesn't get it, and doesn't care.  Today, that begins to change," House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) said. "This new governing agenda, built by listening to the people, offers plans to create jobs, cut spending, and put power where it belongs: in the hands of the people.  'A Pledge to America' offers a new way forward that hasn't been tried in Washington: an approach focused on cutting spending instead of accelerating spending, and eliminating uncertainty for the private-sector innovators and entrepreneurs who create jobs.  These are the solutions the American people are demanding, and Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Reid should act on them before Congress adjourns for the fall."

"A Pledge to America" -- which can be downloaded in PDF format at pledge.gop.gov -- is the byproduct of the America Speaking Out initiative, which Republicans launched in May to listen and engage the American people in the creation of a new governing agenda. 

As opposed to a broad policy platform or long-term agenda, "A Pledge to America" is based on the need for urgent action to address the American people's priorities -- priorities that continue to be ignored and even openly mocked by Washington Democrats.

Prior to today's unveiling, House Republicans held a roundtable with local small business owners to talk about the challenges they are facing in today's tough economic climate.

NOTE: The preamble to "A Pledge to America" reaffirms Republicans' commitment to principles of smaller, more accountable government; economic freedom; lower taxes; fiscal responsibility; protecting life, American values, and the Constitution; and providing for a strong national defense.  This new governing agenda is comprised of five specific policy plans that could be implemented right now if President Obama and Democratic Leaders would allow it:

• Creating Jobs.  "A Pledge to America" reflects Americans' demand for immediate action on policies that will end uncertainty for small businesses and help our economy get back to creating jobs.  This new governing agenda contains a plan to create jobs, end economic uncertainty, and make America competitive -- including stopping all tax hikes, reining in red tape, and repealing ObamaCare's '1099 mandate.'
   
• Cutting Spending.  "A Pledge to America" embodies Americans' rejection of the now-thoroughly discredited notion that we can simply tax, spend, and borrow our way to prosperity.  This new governing agenda contains a plan to cut spending and reduce the size of government -- including cutting government spending to pre-'stimulus', pre-bailout levels, imposing a hard cap on future discretionary spending, and ending TARP once and for all.
   
• Reforming Congress.  "A Pledge to America" acknowledges that we cannot get our arms around the issues of the day when we have a government that refuses to listen to the people and ignores their priorities.  This new governing agenda contains a plan to reform Congress and restore trust -- including implementing 'read the bill' reform, allowing for more open and fair debate, and requiring that every bill contain a citation of Constitutional authority.
   
• Repealing and Replacing The Job-Killing Health Care Law.  "A Pledge to America" recognizes that the American people continue to squarely oppose the government takeover of health care, with its higher costs, higher taxes, job-killing mandates, and Medicare cuts to pay for a massive new entitlement.  This new governing agenda contains a plan to repeal and replace the job-killing health care law with common-sense reforms focused on lowering costs and protecting American jobs.
   
• A Strong National Defense.  "A Pledge to America" reinforces Congress's responsibility to help provide for a strong national defense and fashion a coherent strategy to confront and defeat the terrorist threat.  This new governing agenda contains a plan to keep our nation secure at home and abroad -- including passing clean troop funding bills, keeping terrorists off American soil, and fully funding missile defense.