Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) delivered the GOP response to the State of the Union address and, in so doing, focused on efforts to cut government spending and reduce the nation’s debt.
Rep. Ryan welcomed President Obama’s focus on the economy, saying, “As chairman of the House Budget Committee, I assure you that we want to work with the president to restrain federal spending.” He added, “In one of our first acts in the new majority, House Republicans voted to cut Congress’s own budget. And just today, the House voted to restore the spending discipline that Washington sorely needs…Our debt is the product of acts by many presidents and many Congresses over many years. No one person or party is responsible for it. There’s no doubt that the president came into office facing a severe fiscal and economic situation. Unfortunately, instead of restoring the fundamentals of economic growth, he engaged in a stimulus spending spree that not only failed to deliver on its promise to create jobs, but also plunged us even deeper into debt…All of this new government spending was sold as ‘investment.’ Yet after two years, the unemployment rate remains above nine percent and government has added over $3 trillion to our debt.”
Rep. Ryan also addressed the contentious Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148), saying, “What we already know about the president’s health care law is this: Costs are going up, premiums are rising, and millions of people will lose the coverage they currently have. Job creation is being stifled by all of its taxes, penalties, mandates, and fees. Businesses and unions from around the country are asking the Obama administration for waivers from the mandates. Washington should not be in the business of picking winners and losers. The president mentioned the need for regulatory reform to ease the burden on American businesses. We agree – and we think his health care law would be a great place to start. Last week, House Republicans voted for a full repeal of this law, as we pledged to do, and we will work to replace it with fiscally responsible, patient-centered reforms that actually reduce costs and expand coverage.”
In discussing the budget, Rep. Ryan noted that “Our forthcoming budget is our obligation to us – to show you how we intend to do things differently…how we will cut spending to get the debt down…help create jobs and prosperity…and reform government programs. If we act soon, and if we act responsibly, people in and near retirement will be protected.” He continued, “These budget debates are not just about the programs of government; they’re also about the purpose of government…We believe government’s role is both vital and limited – to defend the nation from attack and provide for the common defense…to secure our borders…to protect innocent life…to uphold our laws and Constitutional rights…to ensure domestic tranquility and equal opportunity…and to help provide a safety net for those who cannot provide for themselves…We believe a renewed commitment to limited government will unshackle our economy and create millions of new jobs and opportunities for all people, of every background, to succeed and prosper.”
In closing, Rep. Ryan said, “These are not easy times, but America is an exceptional nation. In all the chapters of human history, there has never been anything quite like America. The American story has been cherished, advanced, and defended over the centuries. And now it falls to this generation to pass on to our children a nation that is stronger, more vibrant, more decent, and better than the one we inherited.”
