Weekly Republican Address

What We Are Watching: President Obama takes questions at the Senate Democratic Policy Committee Issues Conference. Watch C-SPAN 2 LIVE at 10:OOam ET today. 

In The News:

Congressman Kirk wins Illinois’ primary. RNC Chairman Michael Steele released a statement saying, “Congressman Mark Kirk is poised to help lead the strongest Republican ticket that Illinois has seen in a generation.”

Democrats skeptical of Obama’s budget proposal. Democrats tell White House Budget Director Peter Orszag that the president’s budget proposal does not do enough to bring down the deficit, cut the debt.

Cap and trade hits the skids? President Obama says cap and trade could be separated out from “green jobs” bill signaling a hesitancy by the administration to tie the unpopular job killing initiative to any other jobs bills during an election year.

“Dirty Dozen” spells trouble for Democrats. “The fact that so many of the districts on this list are currently held by Democrats reflects how strongly the ... more

After a year of misplaced priorities, misguided policies and broken promises, the Obama Administration has shown how out of touch they are with mainstream America.  What is now considered the same tired Washington scheme – where politics trump people, Washington wins and Main Street loses – the President faces an anxious and disillusioned American public. Tonight, he will spend the majority of his first State of the Union address explaining to the nation exactly what went wrong and why. 

Beginning at 8:30 PM EST, the RNC Research Department will be live blogging before and during President Obama’s “Explanation to the Nation.” Our team will be taking your questions and comments about the President's first year in office and will offer "real time" fact-checking during the President's speech. 

Please join us at www.GOP.com/LiveResponse.

On behalf of the RNC, I send our heartfelt prayers and thoughts of condolence to the entire country of Haiti and to people across the world affected by the devastation of this earthquake.  I applaud the men and women of our civilian and military agencies who are bravely responding to this disaster and I encourage all Americans to do everything they can to support the humanitarian efforts taking place to assist the people of Haiti during this incredibly trying time.

Please visit the American Red Cross to find more information on how you can help:  American Red Cross

Sincerely,
Michael S. Steele
RNC Chairman

As we begin the New Year, one fundamental question remains on America's mind: will Washington listen?

Throughout 2009, Americans pleaded with Congressional Democrats to end government bailouts, stop the wasteful "stimulus" packages, and cease efforts for a government takeover of health care. You asked for policies focused on the economy and job growth, efforts to strengthen small businesses and working families. Unfortunately, all we got from Washington was an unyielding march toward growing government-at any cost, forcing costly mandates and taxes on individuals, families, small businesses and cash-strapped states.

Democrats in Washington simply did not listen in 2009.

Americans have been voicing their opposition to the Obama Administration's over-reaching liberal policies and now even members of his own party are joining the ever-growing chorus of dissent; some have even begun switching parties. As Democrats continue their radical, leftist agenda in 2010, moderate Democrats will ... more

"May the God of Hope fill you with all Joy & Peace"
ROMANS 15:13 NIV

At this special time of year, our hearts are filled with gratitude for our many blessings and our homes are filled with the warmth of the season.

During the holidays, I am reminded of our responsibility to serve others, to exhibit compassion for those in need, and to remember our servicemen and women who defend our freedoms. We honor their sacrifice to our great nation, and we keep their families in our thoughts. For those in uniform who are serving in distant lands, we pray for their safe return home.

As I reflect on a successful 2009, I would like to thank our supporters for all that you have done this year for the Republican Party and our country. I am grateful for your support and for the important work you do around the country on behalf of our Republican principles.

On behalf of the Republican National Committee, I want to send my best wishes to you and your families for a healthy, safe and Merry Christmas.

"Very early this morning, as the majority of Americans were asleep, Harry Reid and his liberal allies quietly got one step closer to enacting their 2,700-page government-run health care experiment with absolutely no input from Republicans and absolutely no care for the American people’s opposition. For months concerned citizens have been telling Democrats that they don’t support their plan and with this vote Democrats have shown they aren’t listening to their concerns. I don’t know about you but I am sick and tired of it. President Obama and Harry Reid will claim that they have reached a grand compromise benefitting all Americans. But I would call it a grand deception because this costly government-run plan still increases premiums and health care costs, still cuts Medicare, and still forces Americans to pay for it with hundreds of billions in new taxes during the worst of economic times. A top down bureaucratic government-run health care system that will cost nearly a trillion ... more

Right now on Capitol Hill, Harry Reid and his liberal cohorts are locked behind closed doors working on their government-run health care experiment, which the American people have made clear they don't support. However, the Democrats are simply not listening.

The American people support common-sense incremental reforms that will make health care more affordable and accessible, and will protect the doctor-patient relationship without adding to the national deficit.  But Democrats aren't interested in that kind of reform.  President Obama and Congressional Democrats support a government-run health care system that raises premiums, increases taxes, and cuts Medicare.

You can stop this bill if you take action today.  I am personally asking you to call, e-mail, or write your Senators TODAY and tell them to vote against this liberal bill, listen to the American people, and put their full focus on creating jobs and stimulating the economy.

Sincerely,

The Honorable John Thune of South ... more

Harry Reid's dream of nationalizing one-sixth of the U.S. economy is in danger, and now he's manipulating the system to try to save it. He's twisting his fellow Democrats' arms, declaring the debate over, calling himself the winner, and desperately hoping that his colleagues will let him move on so he can pass his job-killing, tax-raising bill masquerading as health care reform.

Now is the time for action. Harry Reid isn't listening to you, but there are Senators who may be, and they can stop this bill now.  You need to let them know where you stand. Click here for all the tools you need to contact these Senators. Call, write, email - do everything you can to let them know that their first allegiance is to their constituents, not to Harry Reid.

Only you can stop this bill. You've fought an incredible battle. Now finish the job!

If you are opposed to a government-run health care experiment, we need your voice today. For months Americans all across the country have been letting President Obama and Congressional Democrats know that a 2,000 page, $2.5 trillion health care experiment that raises premiums, raises taxes, and cuts Medicare is not the kind of reform they had in mind. But some Democrats don't seem to be listening.

Since November 30th, my Republican colleagues and I have taken to the Senate floor every single day to show the American people exactly what is in the Democrats' health care bill. Through our efforts, we've identified several Democrat Senators who are extremely uncomfortable with the bill. Unfortunately, Democrats have taken their efforts behind closed doors where they are adding and subtracting provisions in a feverish effort to round up enough votes to pass this health care experiment with the support of only Democrat Senators.

This is where you come in - we need your voice. A recent ... more

The fate of Harry Reid’s unpopular health care bill – and his political future – rests in the hands of a few undecided Senators. Reid knows that the only way to get them on his side is to convince them that even if they oppose the will of the people by voting "Yes," you'll soon forget this betrayal and send them back to Washington for another term election time rolls around again.

You know that's just not true. Let them know it, too, by pledging your time, your energy, your money, and your votes to oust them from office unless they listen to you and vote against this massive tax-increase and government power-grab masquerading as health care reform. GOP.com has the tools to help you take action. Call, write, email – do everything you can to let them know that you're not going to roll over for Harry Reid and, if they want to keep their jobs, they shouldn't either.