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No more excuses |
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January 9, 2017 |
By U.S. Congressman Raul Labrador
The new Republican-controlled Congress convened
last week. We’re eager to work with
President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office
Jan. 20. My agenda has much in common with our
new President’s plans and I look forward to a
very productive partnership.
We carry a heavy responsibility, a mandate from
the people to change business as usual in
Washington and revive the American economy. I’m
ready to seize on this historic opportunity.
Among my priorities for the 115th Congress are
the following:
Obamacare
President Obama’s government takeover of health
care left a trail of broken promises. Many did
not get to keep your doctor or your insurance
plan. For many patients, especially in rural
America, there aren’t enough in-network
providers. Instead of promised decreases in
premiums, Americans face sticker shock. We will
repeal Obamacare and replace it with a
patient-centered plan that lets the free market
work and makes healthcare more affordable.
Immigration
I will continue my leadership on immigration
reform. My top priority is secure borders,
including preventing the entry of terrorists
posing as refugees. We must modernize our visa
system to strengthen our economy and not permit
those here illegally to jump ahead of
law-abiding immigrants.
Taxes
On taxation, I follow three principles. First,
taxes are for funding government, not social
engineering or picking winners and losers.
Second, they should be broad-based, stripping
out loopholes and lowering overall tax rates.
Third, the 70,000-page Tax Code should be
fairer, ending the inequities between taxpayers
of similar income.
Regulation
Americans spend almost $2 trillion a year to
comply with federal regulations. Congress will
begin by rolling back Obama’s executive
overreach, including last-minute rules. To
stimulate long-term economic growth, Congress
needs to work with the new administration on a
regulatory framework providing necessary
protections while freeing Americans do what they
do best -- innovate.
Federal lands
Idahoans are well aware that our federal lands
are mismanaged and underutilized. We have seen
forests burn at record rates and the decimation
of rural economies. I’ll fight to give states
and localities more input in management and cut
red tape for federal land managers.
America’s debt
Current projections say the federal debt will
rise from $20 trillion to $30 trillion by 2026.
The consequences include slower economic growth
and a crippling legacy for our children,
grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Addressing this crisis will mean difficult
choices, some of which will be unpopular among
those reliant on excessive spending.
I have never shied from casting hard votes and I
believe Idahoans re-elected me to make the tough
choices necessary to restore America’s
greatness. The American people gave us unified
government because they were fed up with the
get-along, go-along ways of Congress. I will
hold our leadership accountable, and if
Republicans lose their nerve, we’ll only have
ourselves to blame.
No more excuses. |
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