Washington
(May 25)
Appearing on Fox News’ Fox & Friends this morning, House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) discussed America Speaking Out (ASO), House Republicans’ new initiative to engage the American people and give them a voice in crafting a new governing agenda rooted in principles of smaller, more accountable government. America Speaking Out uses the best social media tools to allow all Americans to submit their ideas, vote them up or down, comment on them, or start a discussion – all in an open and transparent forum. Boehner also responded to President Obama’s proposal to eventually force Congress to vote on cutting unnecessary spending by noting that the President already has this authority and Republicans have invited him to use it. Lastly, Boehner discussed the Obama Administration’s response to the Gulf oil spill. Following are video and excerpts from the interview:
CLICK TO PLAY
BOEHNER ON ENGAGING AMERICANS WITH AMERICA SPEAKING OUT:
“It's about listening to the American people. The American people don't believe that Washington is listening and frankly, I think most Americans don't believe that Washington even cares what they think. What we want to do is to engage the American people. What are their solutions to America's problems?”
BOEHNER ON GOP PRINCIPLES AND AMERICA SPEAKING OUT:
“Republicans know what our principles are. We believe in a smaller, less costly and more accountable government. In terms of applying those principles, we want Americans to be engaged in this and we want to listen to the American people. So America Speaking Out is an effort to invite the American people to come and give us their ideas.”
BOEHNER SAYS WE DON’T HAVE TO WAIT FOR A LAW TO BE PASSED TO CUT SPENDING NOW:
“The President already has the authority to send to the Congress what we call rescissions. Those are issues that are already in spending bills that he signed that he can send back to Congress, and force an up-or-down vote. Eric Cantor and I sent a letter to the President earlier this year outlining some $350 billion worth of rescissions that we promised him that if he set those rescissions to Congress, that we would work to get all Republicans to support cutting the budget and doing it now. … We don't have to wait for some new law or provision to be passed. The President can do it now. The Congress can do it now. We don't need some new authority to push the Congress to do what it should already be doing.”
BOEHNER SAYS AMERICANS “HAVE HAD IT WITH WASHINGTON” AND REPUBLICANS ARE OFFERING BETTER SOLUTIONS:
“When you look at the rebellion that’s going on in America, and I see it in my district and every place I go in America, the American people have had it with Washington and they want change. What they see is an arrogant, out-of-touch Congress. We are offering what we think are better solutions to the American people, and so I think we’re going to have a good year. Whether we can get to a majority or not, is a steep climb. … I do think that we have a reasonable chance. We’re going to work to do that, not because we want to be in majority for our sake or I want to be the Speaker for my sake, this is about saving our country and providing a check and balance on this administration and their out-of-control spending.”
BOEHNER DISCUSSES THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION’S RESPONSE TO THE GULF OIL SPILL:
“I think British Petroleum is responsible for this, they and their subcontractors. But it’s also clear that this is a failure of government. Where was the Minerals Management Service, the agency that was required to do inspections? We’ve been asking for their inspection report that apparently occurred just ten days before this explosion but yet, the Administration won't share that data with us. So I think there is a dual responsibility here.”