The Boehner Message
Maj Leader John Boehner sent a memo to his flock yesterday, acknowledging that L'Affaire Foley "became the story" at the end of the session.
But, Boehner told fellow House Republicans, they should not let that obscure their accomplishments.
Full memo after the jump
M E M O
To: House Republican Members
From: Majority Leader Boehner
Date: October 16, 2006
Re: CONFIDENTIAL Messaging Memo
On Friday, September 29, the House and Senate wrapped up a series of major legislative accomplishments on national and border security. Just as we were looking forward to going home to talk about what we'd accomplished, the despicable conduct of former Congressman Mark Foley instead became the story. His actions disgraced this institution, his resignation was welcomed by everyone, and we've taken action to engage the appropriate authorities to conduct a thorough review of all the facts and ensure the children who work as pages in our Capitol are safe and secure. Having done this, Republicans are back on offense on the big issues facing our nation.
Republicans are resolute in our efforts to give the President the tools he needs to combat terrorism. Democrats are divided and have no national security strategy, except to relent and retreat in the face of adversity. Obstruction is not an agenda.
Republicans are the Party of secure borders and strong enforcement of our immigration laws. Democrats are the Party of open borders that will only lead to more illegal immigration.
Republicans are the Party that works to keep taxes low and exercise fiscal discipline. Democrats are the Party addicted to tax hikes forever scheming to raid taxpayers' wallets to fund more massive government programs. Their voting record proves it.
National security, border security, and the economy: these are the issues that matter most to the American people as we confront challenges domestically and abroad. And I'm convinced that if we make our case strongly and confidently to our constituents on these critical issues, Republicans will retain our majority.
National Security & the Prospect of a Nuclear North Korea
National security is an issue that remains our primary responsibility during such a precarious time, and the recent developments in North Korea underscore the need for a strong and resolute national security posture around the globe. We cannot tolerate nuclear weaponry in the hands of rogue regimes or terrorist organizations that threaten America and our allies.
The differences between Republicans and Democrats on this issue could not be more clear. Republicans have developed a firm approach to the North Korea nuclear threat: we have advocated six-party talks involving all the international players of the Pacific Rim; we have insisted on International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspections; we have insisted on North Korea dismantling its nuclear program; we have worked with our allies to impose sanctions; and we have voted for and funded a robust missile defense technology program so we can deploy an effective missile defense shield capable of helping keep America safe.
How did Democrats respond to the threat in North Korea? Throughout the 1990s, the Clinton Administration preferred to charm the North Korean government with gifts and praise rather than work to thwart the nuclear ambitions of madman Kim Jung Il. And Democrats have recklessly opposed an effective missile defense shield because such a position weakens America's national defense and puts Americans in danger.
This reckless move by North Korea highlights the need for deployment of a U.S. missile defense shield capable of protecting America against madmen with weapons of mass destruction. It also underscores the significance of Republicans' efforts to give President Bush the tools he needs to effectively wage and win the war against terrorism. Whether it's bringing terrorists to justice or authorizing the Terrorist Surveillance Program, Democrats always seem to side with the radical left and not the interests of American families.
While Republicans have worked to ensure the safety and security of the American people, Democrats have been sitting on the sidelines. They've done nothing but say "no" to every responsible legislative effort to keep America safe. We have to bring this fact to the attention of every editorial board, every reporter, and every single one of our constituents.
The Growing Economy
Just before we adjourned to return home to work in our congressional districts, I encouraged you to make an aggressive case to your constituents about the improving health of our national economy, as well as GOP efforts to bring further relief to families in some parts of our country who are still struggling against the rising cost of living. Republican economic policies have created 6.6 million new jobs since August 2003. Wages are up, and the unemployment rate stands at a low 4.6 percent. Gas prices are falling fast and providing welcome relief to our constituents.
This growing and thriving economy did not happen by accident, and we need to take advantage of every local and national media opportunity to make that clear to our constituents. Most importantly, we need to relentlessly hammer away at the Democrats' biggest vulnerability: their guarantee to raise taxes on American families. And we can point out Democrats' own statements to remind Americans just how troubling their plans for higher taxes are:
The Democrats' point man on tax policy - Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY) - has already laid out his tax hike plans, responding with "No question about it" when asked whether those tax hikes would hit every American. Rangel even declined to rule out repealing the popular child tax credit or the marriage penalty reduction, saying "everything has to be on the table."
On May 7, 2006, during an interview on NBC's Meet the Press, Democrat leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) had this to say in response to questions from host Tim Russert:
RUSSERT: So, wait a minute. There's no increase in spending if the Democrats take over Congress?
REP. PELOSI: No deficit spending, I pledge that to you. Pay-as-you-go.
RUSSERT: If you raise taxes to pay for the new program -
REP. PELOSI: You put everything on the table and you decide what are the priorities for the American people.
The American people have every right to be worried about the prospect of Capitol Hill Democrats raising taxes, and it's because Democrats haven't been shy about making their plans known. We must remind every American about the Democrats' tax hike agenda and its destructive consequences for our economy.
Parting Thoughts
As I look back at what we accomplished on national and border security during our last week in session, I can't help but feel a strong sense of pride. Our final week marked the culmination of a year of intense, focused legislative work on the issues that matter most to the American people. It was a team effort, with Republican committee chairmen and individual Members uniting to advance legislation that not only exposed the sharp differences between Republicans and Democrats, but also will make a positive difference for our nation when enacted into law. In that final flurry of activity, House Republicans took action on all of the following:
Military Commissions Act - set to be signed by President Bush.
Electronic Surveillance Modernization Act - passed by the House.
Department of Defense Appropriations Act Conference Report - signed into law.
National Defense Authorization Act Conference Report - set to be signed by President Bush.
Secure Fence Act - set to be signed by President Bush.
Homeland Security Appropriations Act Conference Report - signed into law.
Security and Accountability for Every (SAFE) Port Act Conference Report - signed into law.
We should be proud of these accomplishments, and your constituents, your neighbors, and your editorial boards should know that. Republicans are returning to the debate with the confidence and courage to make sure Americans know what we've done on their behalf.
