http://www.gop.com/index.php/news/ en Copyright 2010 2010-03-22T03:45:36+00:00 http://www.gop.com/index.php/news/comments/statement_from_rnc_chairman_michael_steele_on_the_passage_of_government_run/ http://www.gop.com/index.php/news/comments/statement_from_rnc_chairman_michael_steele_on_the_passage_of_government_run/#When:03:45:36Z WASHINGTON – The Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Steele released the following statement today: “Today, America witnessed the first vote for the end of representative government. Congressional Democrats said no to the will of the American people and voted yes to President Obama’s $2.5 trillion government run health care system. The President, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid are the architects of a system that encourages out of control spending, increased national debt and does nothing to control the cost of health care.  Americans across the country made their voices heard and flatly rejected this legislation loaded with special deals and tax increases, but Democrats did not listen and instead chose to force this bill through because they believe they know what’s best for the American people. The simple truth is this bill will allow taxpayer dollars to pay for elective abortions, as confirmed by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and that the Executive Order negotiated by Rep. Bart Stupak does nothing to trump the language in the bill. It is, at best, a ruse. Further, the bill will cause 9 million people to lose the insurance they have now; it will increase the deficit by over a hundred billion dollars when all the components (including the physician fee schedule change) are included; it will increase taxes by $569 Billion; it will cut Medicare by $524 Billion; it will increase premiums by 10 percent for people without employer-based insurance; and, it will create a new marriage penalty with new income and investment taxes. And after all the spending has been done and the bill is fully implemented, 23 million people will still be uninsured in 2019.” The American people are sick of the blatant arrogance of President Obama, Speaker Pelosi and the Senate Majority Leader Reid.  Congressional Democrats can be sure that voters in their districts will not forget this vote that will negatively affect Americans for generations to come.  It is time to fire Nancy Pelosi and send a message to President Obama that it’s time to stop their partisan liberal agenda of government takeovers and start working for Americans to create jobs and grow our economy.” 2010-03-22T03:45:36+00:00 http://www.gop.com/index.php/news/comments/rnc_raises_7.6_million_in_february/ http://www.gop.com/index.php/news/comments/rnc_raises_7.6_million_in_february/#When:18:51:39Z WASHINGTON – The Republican National Committee (RNC) today announced its fundraising numbers for February 2010. The RNC raised $7.66 million in the month of February from contributions and has $9.46 million cash-on-hand with $0 debt.  “I am pleased that the RNC continues to show solid fundraising numbers, and we are grateful to the countless Americans who have contributed to our Party.  The Republican message of lower taxes, less spending and common sense health care reform resonates with working families and small businesses alarmed by the Machiavellian course Washington Democrats have taken.  While the president and Nancy Pelosi twist arms behind closed doors to pass their government-run health care experiment, the American people are busy working to replace them with true public servants who will faithfully represent their concerns.  As we move closer to the 2010 elections, the RNC is hard at work investing the necessary resources around the country to mount effective and successful victory operations.” – RNC Chairman Michael Steele 2010-03-21T18:51:39+00:00 http://www.gop.com/index.php/news/comments/house_republican_leader_john_boehner_r-oh_delivers_weekly_republican_addres/ http://www.gop.com/index.php/news/comments/house_republican_leader_john_boehner_r-oh_delivers_weekly_republican_addres/#When:11:00:10Z WASHINGTON – House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) released the following weekly Republican address.  The address is available in both audio and video format and is embargoed until 6:00 a.m. ET, Saturday, March 20, 2010.    Audio of the address is available here.   Video of the address is available here.   TRANSCRIPT:   “Hello, I’m House Republican Leader John Boehner.   “I’m speaking to you from the Capitol, where in a matter of hours, the House of Representatives will vote on health care legislation sure to have a drastic effect on our economy and our lives.   “It was here fourteen months ago that President Obama took the oath of office with a promise to govern from the center.  Republicans stood ready to work with our new president and find common ground to address the issues Americans care about.    “Unfortunately, President Obama and Democrats in Washington chose a partisan path and a costly, big-government agenda.    “The trillion-dollar ‘stimulus’ isn’t working as struggling families continue to ask: ‘where are the jobs?’  And taxpayers’ hard-earned money is being spent so fast that two trillion dollars has been added to the national debt on President Obama’s watch.    “Now Democrats want the federal government to take over health care, which represents one-sixth of our economy.   “From the beginning, the one thing the American people wanted out of health care reform was lower costs.  That’s why Republicans proposed a bill based on common-sense reforms that, according to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, would reduce premiums for families and small businesses by up to 10 percent.  Our bill achieves these goals without cutting Medicare or raising taxes.  All of the details are available at HealthCare.GOP.gov.   “The Democrats’ bill, which runs more than 2,300 pages, actually raises premiums and ushers in a massive expansion of government – with roughly 160 new boards, bureaus, and commissions.     “Instead of finding a responsible way to pay for all this, Democrats impose more than half-a-trillion dollars in Medicare cuts and more than half-a-trillion dollars in tax hikes.    “In fact, this bill requires 10 years of tax increases and 10 years of Medicare cuts just to pay for six years of supposed benefits, many of which don’t even go into effect until 2014.   That’s not reform.   “It’s clear where the American people stand.  They want no part of this bill, and they haven’t been shy about saying so.  We’ve seen standing room only crowds at town hall meetings.  Rallies in towns and cities around the country.  And now, jammed phone lines on Capitol Hill.  All of this coming from citizens yelling ‘stop’ at the top of their lungs.    “But Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democrat Leaders are too blinded by their ‘Washington knows best’ attitude, too out-of-touch with the concerns of working families, to listen.   “Instead of trying to do better, Democrats have packed this bill full of kickbacks, payoffs, and sweetheart deals in order to buy the support of lawmakers and Washington special interest groups.    “Democrats are so afraid of the public’s outrage that they have devised a strategy that would allow them to force this massive bill through Congress without even voting on it.  It’s outrageous, and it’s an affront to the principles of representative democracy.   “We were elected to make tough choices, not run from them.  And this vote is certainly one of the toughest.   “With that in mind, I asked Speaker Pelosi to have the final health care votes recorded by a ‘call of the roll.’  Under this procedure, each lawmaker will have to stand before the American people and announce his or her vote.    “The stakes are too high, and this bill is too controversial, for anything less than complete transparency and accountability.  It’s time to stand up and be counted.   “Don’t let Democrats in Washington take this debate away from you.  Don’t let them make this about arm-twisting and backroom deals.    “And don’t let President Obama get away with asking his fellow Democrats to vote for this bill to save his presidency.    “Because this vote isn’t about saving a presidency or a politician. It’s about doing the right thing for our kids and grandkids.  It’s about ensuring that freedom and opportunity remain the birthright of our people.  And it’s about listening to the hard-working taxpayers who sent us here.   “That’s why the only responsible course of action is to scrap this health care bill.  Let’s start over with a clean sheet of paper.  Let’s work together on a step-by-step approach focused on lowering costs for families and small businesses.    “Republicans can’t beat this bill, but the American people can.  It’s not too late to make your voice heard.   “Thank you for listening.” 2010-03-20T11:00:10+00:00 http://www.gop.com/index.php/news/comments/senator_scott_brown_r-ma_delivers_weekly_republican_address/ http://www.gop.com/index.php/news/comments/senator_scott_brown_r-ma_delivers_weekly_republican_address/#When:11:00:39Z WASHINGTON – Senator Scott Brown (R-MA) released the following weekly Republican address.  Audio of the address is available here. Video of the address is available here. TRANSCRIPT: “Hello, I’m United States Senator Scott Brown from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  “When the people of my state elected me in January, they sent more than a senator to Washington – they sent a message.  Across party lines, the voters told politicians in Washington to get its priorities right.                                                                                                                                                                                                                       “And from my travels and conversation with people throughout this country, they told me that they want their President and Congress to focus on creating jobs and reviving America’s economy.  Instead, for more than a year now, we have seen a bitter, destructive, and endless drive to completely transform America’s health care system.  “In January of last year, unemployment hit 7.2 percent and our economy was hurting badly.  But, early in President Obama’s term, he and the Democratic leadership of Congress made takeover of health care their first priority. “Today, times are even tougher across our nation when it comes to our economy.  Nearly one in ten Americans are still out of work.  And still, the President and Congress are focused on ramming through their health-care bill, whatever it takes, whatever the cost. “Maybe you remember what President Obama promised in his State of the Union address.  He said he was going to finally focus on jobs and the economy for the remainder of this year.  I applauded him for that. Well, here it is, it’s almost spring.  And what is he out there talking about again?  That same 2,700-page, multi-trillion dollar health care legislation. “So, an entire year has gone to waste.  Millions of Americans have lost their jobs, and many more jobs are in danger.  Even now, the President still hasn't gotten the message. “Somehow, the greater the public opposition to the health care bill, the more determined they seem to force it on us anyway.  Their attitude shows Washington at its very worst – the presumption that they know best, and they’re going to get their way whether the American people like it or not. “And, when politicians start thinking like that, they don’t let anything get in their way – not public opinion, not the rules of fair play, not even their own promises.  “They pledged transparency.  Instead, we have a health care bill tainted by secrecy, concealed cost, and full of backroom deals– and that’s just not right. They should do better. The American people expect more. “They pledged a true bipartisan effort.  Instead, they have resorted to bending the rules, and they now intend to seize control of health care in America on a strict party-line vote. “In speech after speech on his health care plan, the President has tried to convince us that what he is proposing will be good for America. But, how can it be good for America if it raises taxes by a half trillion dollars and costs a trillion dollars or more to implement? In addition, how can it be good if it takes another half a trillion dollars away from seniors on Medicare, and still includes all the backroom deals you have been hearing about for months? “Well, for the past year or more, the new establishment in Washington has tried again and again to sell this plan to the American people.  But the Americans aren't buying it, and for good reason.  And now, what’s going on is a last, desperate power play.  They actually tell us that passing the bill is necessary, if only to prove that something can get done in Washington. “Well, I haven’t been here very long, but, I can tell you this much already: Nothing has distracted the attention and energy of the nation’s capital more than this disastrous detour.  And, the surest way to return to the people’s business is to listen to the people themselves: We need to drop this whole scheme of federally controlled health care, start over, and work together on real reforms at the state level that will contain costs and won’t leave America trillions of dollars deeper in debt. “This, above all, was the message that the people of my state sent to the President and the Congress in the election over a month ago.   “You know some of my Democratic colleagues, you know, are being leaned on mighty hard right now.  Speaker Pelosi and others are handing down their marching orders, telling them to vote for this bill no matter what.  Rarely have elected leaders been so intent on defying the public will.  For many members of Congress, the time for choosing is near – do what the party leadership demands, or do what the people have asked you to do.  If my colleagues don’t mind some advice from a newcomer, I’d suggest going with the will of the people. “After all, from the very beginning of this debate, the American people have called it correctly.  In every part of the country, Republicans and Democrats have agreed on serious, straightforward, commonsense health care reform.  They expect us in Washington to do the same – working together, acting fairly and by the rules, and staying focused on the need to make the American economy as strong as it can be.  That is the business that brought me here on an unexpected journey to Washington.  And, it’s the responsibility of everyone sent here to serve our country. We can do better – and I challenge my colleagues and the President to do just that. “I’m Senator Scott Brown and thank you very much for listening.” 2010-03-13T11:00:39+00:00 http://www.gop.com/index.php/news/comments/statement_from_rnc_chairman_michael_steele_on_supreme_court_lawyer_theodore/ http://www.gop.com/index.php/news/comments/statement_from_rnc_chairman_michael_steele_on_supreme_court_lawyer_theodore/#When:21:03:05Z FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                        March 12, 2010                                                                                              CONTACT: Press Office 202-863-8614 WASHINGTON – Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Steele announced today that the RNC would be retaining renowned Supreme Court lawyer Theodore B. Olson of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher to represent the RNC in a campaign finance case when it reaches the United States Supreme Court. “I am thrilled that Ted Olson will be joining our team,” Steele said today.  “Ted is second to none when it comes to winning important cases in the Supreme Court, and I am bringing him on board because I am fully committed to restoring our constitutional rights and leveling the political playing field.  We refuse to take a back seat to the likes of George Soros, MoveOn.org, Hollywood, and big labor.” The case, Republican National Committee vs. Federal Election Committee, is a constitutional challenge to the complete prohibition on national party committees’ raising and spending of funds outside the narrow and highly restrictive federal limits.   A special three-judge panel of a Washington, DC federal court is currently considering the case, and a decision could come as soon as this month.  It is expected that the losing party will appeal directly to the Supreme Court. “I am honored to have the opportunity to represent the RNC and Chairman Michael Steele in this tremendously important case,” Olson said.  “I look forward to working with Chairman Steele and his team as we work to restore the First Amendment rights and proper role of political parties in our democracy.” Olson, a longtime influential conservative, is widely regarded as one of the most effective Supreme Court advocates in the nation.  A former high-ranking attorney in the Reagan administration and solicitor general in the George W. Bush administration, he has argued 56 cases before the Supreme Court.  Earlier this year, he won Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, a campaign finance ruling that invalidated the ban on independent expenditures by corporations, labor unions and trade associations. The California Republican Party, the Republican Party of San Diego, and Michael Steele are also plaintiffs in the case and also will be represented by Olson. 2010-03-12T21:03:05+00:00 http://www.gop.com/index.php/news/comments/rnc_releases_new_web_video_the_numbers_dont_lie/ http://www.gop.com/index.php/news/comments/rnc_releases_new_web_video_the_numbers_dont_lie/#When:20:45:31Z FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                               March 10, 2010                                                                                                                   CONTACT: Press Office 202-863-8614 WASHINGTON – The Republican National Committee (RNC) announced a new web video today on President Obama’s campaign stop in St. Louis, Missouri to push the Democrats’ government takeover of health care. It’s decision time for Missouri Democrats Robin Carnahan, Claire McCaskill and Russ Carnahan – will they listen to their constituents who oppose the Democrats’ plan or be a rubber stamp for President Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid? The web video, entitled “The Numbers Don’t Lie,” can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zb9-46SLLBw   “THE NUMBERS DON’T LIE” SCRIPT Time: 00:48 Voice: “The more the Democrats talk about a government takeover of health care…” Chyron: THE MORE THE DEMOCRATS TALK ABOUT A GOVERNMENT TAKEOVER OF HEALTHCARE Voice:  “The more people realize they don’t want it.” Chyron: THE MORE PEOPLE REALIZE THEY DON’T WANT IT. Voice: “The numbers speak for themselves…” Chyron: THE NUMBERS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES Chyron:  July 21, 2009: the latest USA Today/Gallup Poll finds that more American’s disapprove (50%) of the way U.S. President Barack Obama is handling healthcare policy. Chyron: September 9, 2009: A new Gallup Poll finds 39% of Americans saying they would direct their member of Congress to vote against a healthcare reform bill this fall. Chyron: September 28, 2009: 56% of voters nationwide are now opposed to the health care reform proposed by President Obama and congressional Democrats… Chyron: December 26, 2009: 55% of voters nationwide opposed the Democrats’ health plan Chyron: January 22, 2010: 61% of voters nationwide want Congress to drop the health care plan and focus on the economy and jobs. Voice: “Nearly two-thirds of Missourians oppose the government takeover of health care.” Chyron: February 16, 2010: 57% agreed with a statement that Congress should start over Chyron: 62% of Missouri voters oppose the health care plan proposed by President Obama and congressional Democrats.. –Rasmussen Poll Voice: “So why do Missouri’s Democrats…” Chyron: SO WHY DO MISSOURI’S DEMOCRATS… Voice: “Russ Carnahan…” Chyron: RUSS CARNAHAN Voice: “Claire McCaskill…” Chyron: CLAIRE McCASKILL Voice: “And Robin Carnahan...” Chyron: ROBIN CARNAHAN Voice: “Still support it?” Chyron: STILL SUPPORT IT? Voice: “Another visit by President Obama, and another speech about his health care plan, is not going to change Missouri’s mind.” Chyron: ANOTHER VISIT BY PRESIDENT OBAMA, AND ANOTHER SPEECH ABOUT HIS HEALTH CARE PLAN, IS NOT GOING TO CHANGE MISSOURI’S MIND  Voice: “For Missouri’s Democrats, it’s decision time…” Chyron: FOR MISSOURI’S DEMOCRATS IT’S DECISION TIME.  Voice: “They can vote with people across Missouri…” Chyron: THEY CAN VOTE WITH PEOPLE ACROSS MISSOURI Voice: “Or they can vote for a government takeover of health care.” Chyron: OR THEY CAN VOTE FOR A GOVERNMENT HEALTHCARE Voice: “Either way, they’ll answer to the voters on Election Day.” Chyron: EITHER WAY, THEY’LL ANSWER TO VOTERS ON ELECTION DAY Voice: “The Republican National Committee is responsible for the content of this advertisement.” Onscreen Disclaimer: PAID FOR BY THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE OR CANDIDATE’S COMMITTEE WWW.GOP.COM 2010-03-10T20:45:31+00:00 http://www.gop.com/index.php/news/comments/rnc_releases_new_television_ad_pelosis_failure/ http://www.gop.com/index.php/news/comments/rnc_releases_new_television_ad_pelosis_failure/#When:16:20:10Z FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                               March 10, 2010                                                                                                      202-863-8614                        CONTACT: Press Office 202-863-8614                           WASHINGTON – The Republican National Committee (RNC) announced a television ad today on Nancy Pelosi and the Congressional Democrats’ failure to live up to their pledge of having the “most ethical Congress in history.” The television ad, entitled “Pelosi’s Failure,” can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-_cmqbyqIk. “Three years ago Nancy Pelosi and her fellow Congressional Democrats took control of Washington with a promise to drain the so-called ‘swamp’ of corruption and bring about a new era of political responsibility.  The recent sexual harassment allegations against Democrat Congressman Massa serves as a stark reminder that Democrats have largely failed the American people and that their pledges of responsibility were nothing more than lofty populist campaign rhetoric. Nancy Pelosi should stop protecting her liberal, unethical allies like Congressman Rangel or be prepared to lose her gavel in November.” – RNC Chairman Michael Steele        “PELOSI’S FAILURE” SCRIPT Time: 00:30 Chyron: SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE NANCY PELOSI Voice: “Pelosi: Most open…” Chyron: “OPEN” Voice: “And the most ethical congress in history.” Chyron: “ETHICAL” Chyron: REPRESENTATIVE CHARLES RANGEL Voice: “Charlie Rangel stepped down after breaking ethics rules” Chyron: STEPPED DOWN AFTER BREAKING ETHICS RULES Voice: “And failing to pay taxes.” Chyron: AND FAILING TO PAY TAXES Voice:  “Pelosi?” Chyron: PELOSI? Voice:  “Defended him for nearly 2 years.” Chyron: DEFENDED HIM FOR NEARLY 2 YEARS Chyron: REPRESENTATIVE ERIC MASSA Voice:  “Eric Massa resigned after allegations of” Chyron: ERIC MASSA RESIGNED AFTER ALLEGATIONS OF Voice:  “Sexual harassment surfaced.” Chyron: SEXUAL HARASSMENT Voice:  “Pelosi? Chyron: PELOSI? Voice: “Called it rumor.” Chyron: CALLED IT A RUMOR Voice: “Most open and most ethical Congress in history.” Chyron: SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE HOUSE ETHICS PANEL INVESTIGATING REP. STARK Chyron: THE WASHINGTON POST HOUSE HOMELAND SECURITY COMMITTEE FACES ETHICS INQUIRY Chyron: POLITICO ETHICS PROBES SADDLE DEMS IN 2010 Voice:  “Pelosi’s wrong.  It’s time to change Washington.” Chyron: PELOSI’S WRONG ITS TIME TO CHANGE WASHINGTON Voice:  “The Republican National Committee is responsible for the content of this advertising.”  Onscreen Disclaimer: The Republican National Committee is responsible for the content of this advertising.  PAID FOR BY THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE. NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE OR CANDIDATE’S COMMITTEE. WWW.GOP.COM 2010-03-10T16:20:10+00:00 http://www.gop.com/index.php/news/comments/congressman_parker_griffith_r-al_delivers_weekly_republican_address/ http://www.gop.com/index.php/news/comments/congressman_parker_griffith_r-al_delivers_weekly_republican_address/#When:11:00:50Z Audio of the address is available here. Video of the address is available here. TRANSCRIPT: “Hello, I’m Dr. Parker Griffith, and I have the great privilege to represent Alabama’s Fifth Congressional District. “In the next 10 days, Democrats in Washington will try and jam through a massive government takeover of health care.  It would raise taxes, slash Medicare benefits and destroy American jobs.  It would put federal bureaucrats in charge of medical decisions that should be made by patients and doctors.  And it must be stopped. “The American people have said loudly and clearly that they do not want this job-killing government takeover of care.  They want us to start over with a clean sheet of paper and a step-by-step approach focused on lowering costs for families and small businesses. “But President Obama, Speaker Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid refuse to listen to the American people.  For them, health care reform has become less about the best reforms and more about what best fits their ‘Washington knows best’ mentality – less about helping patients and more about scoring political points. “This is no idle observation. I’ve witnessed it firsthand. “You see, two Januarys ago, I was sworn into office as an independent, conservative Democrat.  But like so many Americans, I became increasingly concerned that the policies being pushed by Democrats in Washington were dangerous for our country and out of step with our values. “Instead of working across the aisle and focusing on creating jobs, Democratic leaders pressed ahead with their partisan, big-government agenda of taxing, spending, and borrowing from our children and grandchildren.  The trillion-dollar ‘stimulus,’ the ‘cap-and-trade’ national energy tax, I voted against them. “Still, even as Democrats lost their way, I held out hope that things would be different with health care reform, but I was wrong.“Even as public opposition continued to rise, Democrats refused to let up, stuffing these bills with sweetheart deals for lawmakers and giveaways to Washington special interests.  “Given all that’s at stake, I realized that being a voice of dissent and a vote of conscience was not enough.  Shortly before Christmas, after much thought and prayer, I decided to align myself with House Republicans, who have stood on principle to fight this big-government agenda and offer better solutions to the challenges facing our country.“Republicans understand that the right way to fix health care is with a step-by-step approach focused on lowering costs.  Only Republicans have proposed the kind of health care reforms we can afford during this economic downturn, like allowing small businesses to group together to purchase health care plans at reasonable costs just as unions do.“The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office has confirmed that the Republican bill would lower premiums for families and small businesses by up to 10 percent.  All of the details are available at HealthCare.GOP.gov. “You know, before coming to Congress, I spent 30 years practicing medicine in North Alabama.  The worst thing we could do is have the federal government decide what policies and what procedures would be done in hospitals or in physicians’ offices, what would be paid for, what would not be paid for.  This will only cause premiums to rise and the quality of care to go down.  “I’ve also run a small business, and I can tell you that health care costs have everything to do with the ability to maintain a payroll and hire new workers.  The mere threat of this health care bill being enacted is freezing employers in their tracks and destroying much needed jobs.  “To get a final bill through without public or bipartisan support, Democrats would have to use a toxic, controversial legislative scheme known as ‘reconciliation.’  Reconciliation would allow Democrats to make a few last-minute backroom deals and rely on only Democratic votes.  “Reconciliation is by no means a cure-all that would permit drastic changes to improve the bill.  For instance, reconciliation would not address the loophole in the Senate-passed health care bill that would lead to taxpayer funding of abortion for the first time in more than 30 years.  If Speaker Pelosi has her way, the loophole will become law as is, so the final battle will be here in the House of Representatives. “My fellow Americans, it’s not too late: we can, and we must, stop this government takeover of health care.  Make your voice heard now. America deserves better.“And thank you, thank you for listening.” 2010-03-06T11:00:50+00:00 http://www.gop.com/index.php/news/comments/statement_from_rnc_chairman_michael_steele_on_february_unemployment_report/ http://www.gop.com/index.php/news/comments/statement_from_rnc_chairman_michael_steele_on_february_unemployment_report/#When:13:47:58Z FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                               March 5, 2010                                                                                      CONTACT: Press Office 202-863-8614  WASHINGTON – Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Steele released the following statement today: “President Obama began this new year with a resolution to the American people to shift his focus from health care to job creation but this was a resolution in name only.  Despite a national unemployment rate of 9.7 percent, the president has never truly wavered from his real focus of forcing government-run health care on America.  During the month of February, 36,000 Americans lost their jobs, meaning more than 2.2 million Americans have lost their jobs since the health care debate began last year. The threat of more government mandates and regulation, more government spending, and more taxes is discouraging businesses from hiring and that is directly affecting Americans looking for work, with 139,000 people becoming discouraged from seeking work in February alone.  The American public have made it clear what their priorities are but this past week has shown just how far the president will go to achieve his liberal agenda while blatantly ignoring their concerns and forgetting his promises.  The elections coming this fall will provide voters with two clear choices – a Republican Party that listens and responds to Americans and a Democrat Party that is only interested in pursuing their own government-run pipe dreams.”       2010-03-05T13:47:58+00:00 http://www.gop.com/index.php/news/comments/statement_from_rnc_chairman_michael_steele_on_white_house_reconciliation_pl/ http://www.gop.com/index.php/news/comments/statement_from_rnc_chairman_michael_steele_on_white_house_reconciliation_pl/#When:19:54:28Z FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                          March 3, 2010                                                                                   CONTACT: Press Office 202-863-8614         WASHINGTON – Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Steele released the following statement today:   “I agree with the president, we have debated health care reform thoroughly.  And I agree again that this reform is not about politics, but rather about the families, businesses, and economy of a nation – all of which simply cannot afford what the president and Congressional Democrats have been selling for the past year.  While the president’s bravado sounds great, almost inspiring, it falls flat when the president tells Americans to make their voices heard.  We have, Mr. President.  You haven’t been listening. “The president claims that his government-run health care experiment deserves an ‘up-or-down’ vote in Congress but the fact is that his plan has already received three ‘up-or-down’ votes: rejections from Virginia, New Jersey, and Massachusetts.  What President Obama really wants to do is ram through his government takeover of health care with reconciliation, a parliamentary procedure that Senator Obama once said was ‘the wrong place for policy changes.’  The fact is reconciliation wasn’t designed to be and has never been used as a partisan political tactic to force wildly unpopular policies on America.  This bill still costs over $2.5 trillion, puts government in control of personal health decisions, cuts Medicare, and empowers the government to set prices in the private market – ideas the majority of Americans adamantly oppose.  And instead of working with Republicans to start over and come up with a bill based on bipartisan points of agreement, President Obama has decided to use Republican ideas as political cover for his government-run health care experiment that will destroy the doctor-patient relationship and add to our national deficit.”    2010-03-03T19:54:28+00:00