Weekly Republican Address: Rep. Walden Says New Majority Will Focus on Jobs, Spending Cuts Through Action on Pledge to America

Washington (Nov 12)

In the Weekly Republican Address, Majority Transition Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) discusses the transition effort and Republicans’ plans to go to work right away on the people’s priorities: creating jobs, cutting spending, and reforming Congress.  These priorities are embodied in the Pledge to America -- a governing agenda built by listening to the people.  To that end, Rep. Walden encourages Americans to visit the new majority’s transition website and share their ideas.  Following is the text of Rep. Walden’s address.  Audio of the Weekly Republican Address is available now here.  The video will be available here for viewing and here for downloading once the embargo is lifted. 

“Hello, I’m Congressman Greg Walden of Oregon.

“The American people have sent their government a clear message.  They want us to focus on creating jobs.  They want to see Congress spend less.  And they want government to be smaller and less intrusive.  They want health care reform that protects jobs instead of this government takeover that’s costing us jobs.  And they want Congress to respect their will and honor our Constitution.

“These priorities are embodied in the Pledge to America – it’s a governing agenda focused on creating jobs, cutting spending, and reforming Congress, a blueprint built by listening to the American people.  In the new majority, the people’s priorities will be our priorities.  

“Having run a small business for more than 20 years, I can tell you that no turnaround succeeds without a change in culture.  For too long, Washington has been doing what’s best for Washington, and they get away with it.  Too often, accountability counts for nothing, and transparency for even less, and common sense -- well it’s an endangered species.

“That’s why our leader, John Boehner, has pledged to run the House of Representatives differently than it’s been run in the past – by both parties.  And he’s asked me to lead a transition effort designed to ensure our new majority will be ready to serve as the people’s voice and implement the proposals that Americans are demanding.

“So we’ve assembled a transition team of proven reformers, including citizens newly elected to Congress who’ve jumped at the opportunity to begin changing Congress before being sworn-in.  The incoming Republican freshman class – well it’s no ordinary group: nearly half of its roughly 80 members have never served in elective office before.  So they bring a fresh perspective and a lot of the energy, intelligence and experience that we want to incorporate into how we implement reforms that give the government back to the people.  And for this reason, we’re not only including them in the transition to a new majority, but also giving them a seat at the leadership table in the next Congress.

“We’ve already begun initiating changes to open up the people’s House, including installing public cameras in the powerful Rules Committee.  That’s where they decide which bills and which amendments come to the floor for a vote.

“We’re evaluating how Congress operates to make sure there’s time for lawmakers to actually read the bills before they’re voted on and to make certain every one of those bills contains a clear citation of constitutional authority.  We want taxpayers to be able to keep tabs on bills as they’re being written and hearings as they’re happening.  We’ve got the people’s business to do, and the people have the right to watch that business being done.

“And we’re also tracking down every last rule and roadblock rigged to keep government’s spending binge on auto-pilot.  If we’re ever going to change the broken status quo, we need to make it easier to cut spending and harder to increase it.

“And we’re searching for savings so we can cut the cost of Congress, and make this institution more efficient.  As is the case for any business seeking a turnaround, there won’t be any sacred cows here.

“Now, we don’t pretend to have all the answers.  We invite Americans from all walks of life to visit GOPLeader.gov/NewMajority where you can submit your ideas.  We’ve already received hundreds of ideas from across the country.  Thank you.  Whether you associate with one party, no party, or the Tea Party, we want to hear from you.

“Listening is how we built the Pledge to America, and listening is exactly how we’re going to keep it.  So, log on to GOPLeader.gov/NewMajority to learn more and to have your say.

“Thank you very much.”