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Many political prognosticators are predicting a significant GOP victory in November, and one way Republicans have been able to score points with the electorate is by touching upon the unpopularity of Congress.
With only 20% of the country approving of the job Congress is doing, House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) will deliver his personal vision at 2:00 pm ET for congressional reform in a speech at the conservative think-tank the American Enterprise Institute.
In excerpts of the 20-minute speech obtained by NBC News, Boehner promotes his desire to “restore trust in the people’s house.” He cites the “fiscal recklessness” of Congress over the last 10 years and does not hesitate from placing fault on his own party for the recent direction of the House. Americans have a largely unfavorable opinion of Boehner's party, according to the latest NBC/Wall Street Journal poll, with just 31% having a favorable opinion of them and 43% with an unfavorable one. (Democrats don't fare much better -- 37% expressed a favorable opinion, 42 had an unfavorable one.)
“Reform should be an ongoing and inclusive effort," he will say. "I don't have all the answers, and wouldn't pretend to. I welcome ideas and helping hands from any lawmaker, expert, or citizen about how we can make this institution function again.”
Aides close to the Republican leader also tell NBC News that Boehner will outline specific policy proposals of what he would like to see Congress do in its next session in order to restore fiscal balance. The proposals will focus on reforming current congressional rules, which Boehner feels make increased spending nearly impossible to cut, according to Boehner aides.
Boehner will also attack House Democrats for adjourning yesterday. Congress “is not concluding," he will said, "it’s collapsing,” because of Democrats’ inability to vote on what to do about the Bush tax cuts prior to the upcoming elections.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s Office was quick to pounce on Boehner's upcoming speech. In a press release, the speaker's office said, “Perhaps Mr. Boehner will explain his party’s near unanimous opposition to the major earmark, ethics, and accountability reforms the Democratic-led House has enacted the last few years.”
*** UPDATE *** More excerpts have been released of Boehner's speech, including going after post offices and congratulating sports teams:
“The mission of the United States Congress is to serve the American people – and today, due in part to institutional barriers that have been in place for decades, that mission goes unfulfilled. These wounds have been self-inflicted by both parties, and if we do not fix them, it’s possible no one will.”
* * *“Much of the law that governs the process – the Budget Act of 1974 – is tied to rules instead of statutes. Consequently, we routinely waive the Budget Act’s requirements to serve our purposes. Can’t write a budget? Just waive the rule and move on. No harm, no foul. The ‘pay as you go’ rule has been repeatedly ignored to justify billions of dollars in new spending and tax and fee increases. So we ought to start at square one and give serious consideration to re-visiting, and perhaps re-writing, the 1974 Budget Act.”
* * *“Congress has been most maligned over the past generation for its fiscal recklessness, and rightly so. Current congressional rules are rigged to make it easy to increase spending and next-to-impossible to cut spending. Most spending bills come to the floor prepackaged in a manner that makes it as easy as possible to advance government spending and programs, and as difficult as possible to make cuts.
“[T]his is not a new problem. But if we’re serious about confronting the challenges that lie ahead for our nation, it’s totally inadequate.
“I propose today a different approach. Let’s do away with the concept of ‘comprehensive’ spending bills. Let’s break them up, to encourage scrutiny, and make spending cuts easier. Rather than pairing agencies and departments together, let them come to the House floor individually, to be judged on their own merit. For decades, the word ‘comprehensive’ has been used as a positive adjective in Washington. I would respectfully submit that those days are behind us. The American people are not well-served by ‘comprehensive.’ In an era of trillion-dollar deficits, we need a tighter focus; one that places an emphasis on getting it right, and less emphasis on getting it done quickly.
“Don’t assume I’m singling out the appropriators; I’m not. Over decades, in my view, authorizing committees in the House and Senate have also abdicated their responsibility, often authorizing billions of dollars knowing full well they will never actually be appropriated. Interest groups then lobby Congress to ‘fully fund’ the program, systematically creating pressure on the legislature to drive up spending. This has to stop.”
* * *“We should also consider developing a ‘cut as you go’ rule that would apply to any member proposing the creation of new government programs or benefits. Very simply, under this ‘CutGO’ rule, if it is your intention to create a new government program, you must also terminate or reduce spending on an existing government program of equal or greater size – in the very same bill.”
* * *“With all the challenges facing our nation, it is absurd that Congress spends so much time on naming post offices, congratulating sports teams, and celebrating the birthdays of historical figures. [O]ften these resolutions are poorly drafted, or duplicative of previously considered bills. And under both parties they’ve received little or no oversight. It’s my view that we should consider taking all these commemorative moments and special honors, and handle them during special orders and one-minute speeches. It’s time to focus on doing what we were sent here to do.”
* * *“Some changes have to be made, and we can’t keep kicking the can down the road. We’ve run out of road. It’s time to do what we say we’re going to do. For our constituents, our government, and the people’s House, settling for the ‘next best thing’ is no longer good enough.”
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You mean there's a new formula for Coppertone?
I can't remember who it was that said 'John Boner is the same color as a hookers purse' the other night!
lol
The new formula allows John to glow in the dark.
don't Boehner no that he is part of that unpoplarityof the congress he is the most unpopular one if I had my Guess . then the other most unpopular is eric cantor he is a totally dumba--. when he was ask by a young lady who did not have any insurance what was she going to do if she got sick and needed to go to the hospital . he said to her go to the ER the most expensive medical care in the nation. now does that sound like a guy that is fiscal responsible or does he just not no any better ? my thoughts are both .
Rep. Boehner, I would personally like to thank you for doing nothing to assist the American people during these terrible times. Nothing on the stimulus. Nothing on health care reform. Nothing on anything.
Nothing. Zero. Zilch. And your supporters are as uncaring as you are. They don't give a hoot about anyone but themselves. Just like you.
John we would like a refund on your salery for the last two years , after all you and your bunch did nothing to earn it.
Will it be anything like his Pledge to America? He could start to restore trust by earning the taxpayer provided check he gets every week--he could start by saying YES for legislation to help America out of the hole he helped dig, he could start by telling the truth about the tax cuts for the 2% richest, he could start by tellling the truth for a change instead of spinning nonsense. The American people can and will accept hard choices all we ask is for them to tell the truth--the GOP cannot cut taxes and reduce the debt, we cannot cut taxes and expect to have quality education, roads, high speed rail service and bridges that stay up; they cannot cut enough discretionary spending to make a dent in the dent; they cannot extend $780 billion in tax cuts for the wealthiest 2% without adding to the debt; social security is our earned money, we can fix it easily by raising the amount of income on which we pay into it.
There are solutions to all our problems--we just have to be willing to compromise to accomplish them. Neither republicans or democrats have all the answers; Americans simply want both sides to stop fighting and find solutions. Democracy is a team effort with both parties having good ideas but we cannot continue down this divisive political road without irreparably harming it.
Jody, Iowa
There are solutions to all our problems--we just have to be willing to compromise to accomplish them. Neither republicans or democrats have all the answers; Americans simply want both sides to stop fighting and find solutions. Democracy is a team effort with both parties having good ideas but we cannot continue down this divisive political road without irreparably harming it.
I find it fascinating that the President has a higher approval rating than Congress. When are American going to wake up? The President does not make the laws . The President either signs the laws or vetoes them. It's times for people to stop blaming the President and do as you suggested by letting their Representatives in Congress know how that could change.
the President has done more for the American people than the congress . all the republicans no how to do is say no . and the democrats all they no how to do it water down down everthing to get the required votes and still don't get them .
It's not that you don't have all the answers, Mr. Boehner. It's that you don't have any answers. Your only answer has been "NO" to everything.
Then you and your cronies show up with the Pledge To America which is full of platitudes but bereft of details...the 10-word answer.
- We'll cut spending!
What are you going to cut?
- We'll lower the taxes!
How will you do this and still lower the debt?
- We'll reform Congress!
You had plenty of time to do that from 2001-2007 when you held majorities in both houses and held the White House. You didn't do it then so why should we trust you now?
- We'll support our troops!
So, part of the pledge amounts to a bumper sticker?
- We'll enforce sanctions on Iran!
You mean the very sanctions that y'all are laughing at today?
- We'll fund missile defense!
So you're going to do this and still cut spending?
This is a joke, Mr. Boehner. You want to reform Congress and get it functioning again? How do you expect to do that when you said as part of your introduction to the Pledge To America that you're not going to change?
"We are not going to be any different than what we've been." - John Boehner, September 23, 2010
Brilliant. But I guess it means there really isn't a new formula for Coppertone. Sigh.
So Boehner admits he and his Republican piers destroyed the nations economy, that he has no answers or plans on how to fix the problems, blames the Democrats for not bringing bills to a vote when he and his Republican colleague's have everything blocked so it can't come to a vote, and he wants the American people to put him and the Republican party back in power. Why would any reasonable person want to do such a thing? His logic is the same as the slobbering drunk who drove your car off in the ditch demanding the keys to your new car because he's drunk again, you know Boehner should just be quiet. The Dem's have plans, plans that will work given time Boehner and the Republicans should sit down shut up and let the grown-ups take care of business.
it is not just Boehner it is the whole republican party. they are never going to change give the tax breaks to the rich and to hell with the country and the rest of the people.
You know I don't particularly like Nancy Pelosi, really don't know why, you can say what you want about her but she gets results, cares about the nations well being and she ain't no dummy.Boehner is a dummy, and on top of being a dummy he is a corrupt dummy who only cares about serving his corporate masters to enrich himself at the expense of our entire nation. The Republicans offer this country nothing but a decline of living standards for most, continued protection and support for the wealthy few. Who you going to vote for?
Wow. It's amazing what tenure can give one in Washington...cause if this brotha here is the cream of crop within the Republican herd and is selected as Speaker...sweet Father!?!?!
It truly will be interesting to see what the future of the national Republican party will be. If the Teapers really hate what the government has become, they should be lining up to rip this man to shreds.
Heaven help us if john boehner is ever the speeker of the house to close to the Presendency.
Boehner is a joke. What a piece of work he is. People of Ohio, do yourselves and the nation a favor and vote for his opponent.
Going backwards, doing what got us into a mess in the first place, same old song and dance but with a slightly different dance floor or instrument doesn't mean progress or change.
So John, considering you are part of that 20% approval, how do you plan to defend yourself? So far I've seen nothing but ignorance and arrogance come from this person (can't even call him a man, cause I don't believe he would ever "man-up" and tell the truth about anything).
Why aren't all the fire and brimstone Republican posters on here praising "their" leader Boehner?
he hasn't erned any praise that I have seen. it don't takes much to say hell no you can't .
Mr. Boehner your a waste of air and suntan lotion
Not all terrible ideas, and I like that he was at least a bit more specific than previous speeches have been, on both sides.
The CutGO ides is silly though.
You can bet your tush TAXES will be exempt from cut-go! Not only does this fool not have all the answers, he doesn't even have all the questions!
fire the entire Monarchy 11/2/10
The dearth of ideas on the Republican side of the aisle is highlighted by the intellectual dishonesty they display on every major piece of legislation offered by the Democrats.
Don't like the healthcare bill, characterize it as "Government run health care" and "Death Panels", even though the legislation doesn't provide for any of that.
Don't like financial reform, characterize it as endless bank "bailouts", even though the bill doess just the opposite.
Don't approve of the the tax legislation characterize it as a job killer, even though there is no economic eveidence cited to justify that claim.
No way I can respect this bunch of charlatans, or even discuss the issues with them.
That's why I'm volunteering for Mary Jo Kilroy and ted Stricklane, and urge all of you to do the same for candidates in your state.
John "I got a bottle in front of me or a frontal lobotomy" Boehner represents just about everything the tea party is against. Washington insider, career politician, puppet for the lobbyists, collects government pay for doing nothing (Socialist) and the only tea he drinks is long island tea.
Boehner is a pompous a-- every time he opens his mouth to speak. I think I'll go to Jon Stewart's rally so I can get my sanity back. These right wing crazies ought to go, too. Might help, but I doubt it.
"I welcome ideas and helping hands from any lawmaker, expert, or citizen about how we can make this institution function again.”
Here's an idea. Stop filibustering everything and stop anonymous holds by individual Senators.
Holy smoke! Those remarks in the update section were the most cogent, non-partisan and idea filled remarks that I have ever heard from Mr. Boehner. To bad those won't be all he says as the article also points out the attacks he will make on the Democrats. If he'd just stick to the remarks in the update section, I would have a little more respect for him.
The only issue I have with what he said in the update section is with the CutGo proposal. I also have issues with putting arbitrary caps in place or mandating a specific percentage something must be cut or can not go above, also. There needs to be flexibility or you end up with just half a sandwich. Even PayGo creates problems, especially when the economy is in crisis.
What we really need to do is to elect some economists into Congress, not MBAs or lawyers. We need to beef up the budget for the CBO so they can get the best of the best in there. The CBO already does a pretty good job but if they had more money, a wider mandate and could hire the best of the best, it would only make it better. We also need to make sure they stay very independent of any influence from the majority or minority party.
The really sad thing is that this guy and the republicans of congress are the reasons why Americans think the congress is broke. Then He claims he can get it fixed? They broke it. No compromising. Not working with dems or the president. Stopping new legislation at all cost. They are the reasons why our government is broke. What is even worse is that from what I read, here, and find in many of these comments (not this one, very refreshing) is a tone of hatrid for our president and democrats. This guy and FOX news has fooled America into thinking they should get rid of democrats in order to make things better. What the hell!
When hes out there Touting will he have his golf clubs, or tan Machine.
Let see what hes touting, Monday, golf, tuesday out with the boys, wednesday out to dinner with collegues, thurday day off, friday radio address of bs to the American people, sat and sun just say no...Oh what a life.