Press Release

Conaway Responds to the President, Calls for Balanced Budget Amendment

Conaway joins Republican colleagues in presenting the President with GOP solutions

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Washington, January 29, 2010 | Anna Harris (202.225.3605) | comments

I appreciate the fact that the President accepted our invitation today, and expressed interest in working together. Unfortunately, the President has not convinced me that he is willing to listen to the American people or work with Republicans to cut spending, reduce the national debt, or back away from his plans for a jobs-killing national energy tax or a government take-over of our health care system.

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Today, Congressman Mike Conaway (TX-11) is participating in a strategy meeting in Baltimore, where House Republicans are working on conservative solutions to the issues facing our nation. President Obama was invited to speak to House Republicans today and answer some questions.

Conaway and his Republican colleagues presented the President with “Better Solutions for America”, a compilation of GOP policy alternatives that have been developed and introduced in the House since January of 2009. “Better Solutions” includes the Republican alternative for healthcare reform, the American Energy Act, the GOP No Cost Jobs plan, and the GOP Budget. All of these initiatives presented by House Republicans were rejected by Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the House Democrat Majority. Congressman Conaway made the following statement following the President’s appearance:

“I appreciate the fact that the President accepted our invitation today, and expressed interest in working together. Unfortunately, the President has not convinced me that he is willing to listen to the American people or work with Republicans to cut spending, reduce the national debt, or back away from his plans for a jobs-killing national energy tax or a government take-over of our health care system.

“It is my firm belief that in order to get our economy back on its feet, we must get spending under control. Excessive federal government spending is the single biggest threat to our way of life in the United States. It is a mess that our generation is leaving for our children and, and that is completely unacceptable.

“While I approve of President Obama’s call for a spending freeze, calling for a freeze at the current bloated levels is akin to starting a diet tomorrow. We must pass a Balanced Budget Amendment to force Congress to live within its means just like every American family must do.

“President Obama told us today he will focus on jobs and the economy and that he wants to work with Republicans. If this is true, then I call on President Obama to join me in fighting for House Joint Resolution 1: the Balanced Budget Amendment.”

Click here to read the GOP “Better Solutions” document.