Republicans announced their "Pledge to America," on Thursday, September 23, 2010.

"A Pledge to America" from the GOP


Republicans announced their "Pledge to America," on Thursday, September 23, 2010. The "new governing agenda" is built on Republican priorities for our country, "the principles we stand for," and "America's founding values." The priorities quoted from the "Pledge to America" are:

1. To create jobs, end economic uncertainty, and make America more competitive

• Emphasize personal choices of a free people in a free market
• Permanently stop all job-killing tax hikes
• Give small businesses a tax deduction
• Rein in the 'Red Tape Factory' in Washington
• Repeal job-killing small business mandates

2. To stop out-of-control spending and reduce the size of government

• Plan to impose fiscal discipline and cut government down to size
• Act immediately to reduce spending
• Cut government spending to Pre-Stimulus, Pre-Bailout levels
• Establish a hard cap on new discretionary spending
• Cut Congress' budget
• Hold weekly votes on spending cuts
• End TARP [Troubled-Asset Relief Program] once and for all
• End government control of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
• Impose a net federal hiring freeze on non-security employees
• Root out government waste and sunset outdated and duplicative programs
• Reform the budget process to focus on long-term challenges

3. To repeal and replace the government takeover of health care

• Repeal the costly health care takeover of 2010
• Enact medical liability reform
• Purchase health insurance across state lines
• Expand health savings accounts
• Strengthen the doctor-patient relationship
• Ensure access for patients with pre-existing conditions
• Permanently prohibit taxpayer funding of abortion

4. To reform Congress and restore trust

• Read the bill
• Adhere to the Constitution
• Make it easier to cut spending
• Advance legislative issues one at a time

5. To keep our nation secure at home and abroad

• Pass clean troop funding bills
• Keep terrorists out of America
• Demand an overarching detention policy [for terrorists]
• Fully fund missile defense
• Require tough enforcement of sanctions against Iran
• Establish operational control of the border
• Work with state and local officials to enforce our immigration laws
• Strengthen Visa security

The pledge also includes a section on "Checks and Balances" in which the GOP Will Fight:

• To "ensure transparency and accountability in Congress and throughout government."
• "The growth of government and oppose new stimulus spending that only puts our nation further in debt."
• "Efforts to fund the costly new health care law."
• "To increase access to domestic energy sources and oppose attempts to impose a national 'cap and trade' energy tax."

• "For the rights of workers and oppose 'card check' schemes that put Washington union bosses before
    individuals' right to a secret ballot."
• "Efforts to use a national crisis for political gain."

The Wall Street Journal has reported that the Republican document "aims to answer critics, targeting Health law and Stimulus but skirting specifics on Social Security, Medicare." The plan includes "giving small businesses a tax deduction equal to 20% of their business income," as well as other provisions such as ending government programs on a date certain to enable evaluation. Of course, Democrat leaders are criticizing the Republican pledge, and using scare tactics as usual. President Obama said the Republicans would "pull popular benefits from consumers."


[Translation: Social Security and Medicare]

Moreover, some Conservatives are critiquing the plan saying that it does not address the greatest threats to fiscal responsibility such as the Healthcare bill, earmarks, and a balanced budget.