RSC Update: Tuesday, February 9, 2010
From the Chairman
It has been widely reported that President Obama has invited congressional Republicans to a health care summit to discuss the prospects of a bipartisan way forward on reform. While such a meeting makes for great PR, the fact that the President is only now extending this invitation – after his bill has been rejected by the American people – demonstrates just how shallow his dedication to bipartisanship really is.
President Obama, Speaker Pelosi, and Senator Reid attempted to use their large majorities to jam through a government takeover of health care. They were stopped by an even larger coalition of Republicans, a few Democrats, and most importantly the American people. After such a resounding rejection of the big-government approach, it’s clear that tinkering at the margins of the current plans is the wrong way to go.
The only constructive discussions will start with a blank sheet of paper. If the President and other Democrat leaders agree to start over and craft a plan that has widespread appeal to the American people, will not provide for a government-run program, will include no mandates, will not raise taxes, and will ensure that personal health care decisions are never made by bureaucrats, then Republicans will be there to assist. But if the President refuses to start from scratch, his health care summit will be little more than yet another unproductive photo op.
Sincerely,
Congressman Tom Price
Chairman, Republican Study Committee
RSC Media Activity – Republican Study Committee members work hard to ensure that the conservative viewpoint is well-represented in all corners of the media. Visit our Media Center for more.
· Rep. Eric Cantor (VA-07): Keep KSM, Other Terrorists Off U.S. Soil; Politico, February 3.
· Rep. Phil Roe (TN-01): The American People Want Common Sense Solutions to Foster Job Creation; Weekly Column, February 3.
· Chairman Tom Price (GA-06): President Touts Same Failed Policies During his Visit to Nashua; Nashua Telegraph, February 7.
RSC Legislative Activity – RSC members have made it a priority to introduce productive, conservative alternatives to the Democrats’ reckless agenda.
· Rep. Erik Paulsen (MN-03), Rep. Todd Tiahrt (KS-04), and Rep. Wally Herger (CA-02) introduced H.R. 4566, the END TARP Act to immediately terminate TARP and reduce the debt ceiling by the amount of remaining authorized TARP funds, roughly $200 billion.
· Rep. Tom Rooney (FL-16) introduced H.R. 4588, the Detainee Trials at Gitmo Act to require that all detainees currently held at Guantanamo Bay be tried there by military commission.
· Rep. Pete Hoekstra (MI-02) introduced H.J. Res. 71 to amend the U.S. Constitution to allow citizens to vote to recall elected federal officials.
Outlook – Here is a preview of upcoming Democrat proposals to advance their big-government, anti-taxpayer agenda.
· Due to the recent outburst of wintry weather in the D.C. area and the Presidents Day recess already planned for next week, the House is not scheduled to hold any votes until February 22.
RSC Reports
· Each week, the RSC Budget and Spending Taskforce compiles a weekly report on the latest budget and spending news. Additionally, the RSC Money Monitor tracks how bills passed by the House affect authorizations, mandatory spending, and federal government revenue.
· Because the outcome of the health care debate remains undecided, the RSC has produced A Study of Flawed Democrat Solutions on Healthcare.
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House Republican Study Committee
Rep Tom Price, M.D., Chairman
Paul Teller, Executive Director
Brad Watson, Policy Director
Natalie Farr, Professional Staff
Emily Henehan Murry, Professional Staff
Bruce “Fez” Miller, Professional Staf
fJonathan Day, Director of Member Services and Business Outreach
Alex Shively, Director of Conservative Coalitions
Brendan Buck, Communications Director
Brian Straessle, Deputy Communications Director
Curtis Rhyne, Research Assistant
424 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 226-9717
