With just over six weeks to go until the Nov. 8 midterm elections, the U.S. House Republican Caucus has unveiled its 2023 legislative agenda.
The “Commitment to America” pledge, spearheaded by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), is similar to former House Speaker Newt Gingrich’s (R-Ga.) “Contract with America.”
Gingrich’s plan helped Republicans retake the majority in 1994, dealing a significant blow to former President Bill Clinton’s legislative agenda and congressional Democrats. With the GOP’s plan unveiled Friday, McCarthy is hoping history will repeat itself.
The pledge is a strategy to bolster GOP candidates across the nation as the party seeks to regain control of Congress. It outlines what Republicans will prioritize if voters entrust them to lead the lower chamber next year.
Highlights of the plan include curbing inflation, combatting illegal immigration, jumpstarting domestic energy production, fighting crime, and a “Parent’s Bill of Rights,” among other items.
Commitment to America agenda as follows:
Upon the House GOP Caucus rolling out its 2023 legislative agenda, Republican members of Alabama’s congressional delegation released statements promoting the pledge.
U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Hoover), chair of the House Republican Policy Committee, said that the GOP was prepared to “earn the support” of the American citizenry.
“Two years of total Democrat control in Washington, D.C. has left American families with the highest level of inflation in 40 years, children falling behind in schools, soaring energy costs, and an open southern border,” said Palmer. “Nearly 70% of Americans believe we are headed in the wrong direction, and the Democrats have no plan to address their concerns. However, my Republican colleagues and I have a plan.”
“Our Commitment to America provides a framework for people to see how we intend to govern. It is backed by policies that build a strong economy, secure our nation, build a future based on freedom, and hold government accountable. House Republicans are ready to earn the support of the American people and our Commitment shows we are focused on addressing issues important to them,” he said. “I encourage everyone to read our Commitment to America for themselves and see the policies proposed to enact it.”
U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl (R-Mobile) expressed his intentions of working alongside his GOP colleagues to enact the party’s conservative agenda.
“After two years of failed leadership by President Biden and his allies in Congress, it’s clear Americans can’t afford Democrat rule,” said Carl. “Whether it’s the 40-year inflation high, record murder rates in a dozen cities, gas prices through the roof, 3.5 million illegal border crossings, or record high drug overdoses, Americans are worse off today than they were two years ago.”
“The Commitment to America describes how House Republicans will govern and gives the American people the ability to hold us accountable,” he said. “Starting day one, we will fight for an economy that’s strong, a nation that’s safe, a future that’s built on freedom, and a government that’s accountable. This is what the American people want, and I am proud to work with my colleagues to make it happen.”
Asserting that the chamber’s majority party had “no plans” to confront issues of importance to the public, Carl said Republicans would serve to reinstate “common sense” to governing.
“Democrats have no plans to address the problems they’ve created, but House Republicans stand ready to put America back on track and restore some common sense to our government,” he said. “This is our ‘Commitment to America,’ and in a Congress restored to the American people, we will do everything we can to make it a reality.”
“Democrat rule is wreaking havoc” on the United States, according to U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Saks).
Record-high inflation, skyrocketing crime, & open borders – it's clear that Democrat rule is wreaking havoc on our nation.
American families deserve a strong economy, a safe & free nation, and government that's accountable. That's our commitment to you.https://t.co/DLb6GizLzh
— Mike Rogers (@RepMikeRogersAL) September 23, 2022
Fifth Congressional District GOP nominee Dale Strong, who in 2012 became the first elected Republican chairman of the Madison County Commission, stated his support of the commitment.
“I have always believed that we need to show the American people a plan of how we will change things if we are asking them to put Republicans in control of Congress,” said Strong in a statement to Yellowhammer News. “Our ‘Commitment to America’ is that plan. I’m proud to support it and I believe it is crucial to our nation’s future.”
UPDATE 2:15 p.m.:
In a statement, U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) vowed to actively support Republicans’ pledge to American voters should the party retake Congress.
“If Republicans take back the House in November, having a plan is just as important as winning,” said Aderholt. “The Commitment to America lays out a roadmap for how we plan to get America back on track.”
“This starts with building a prosperous, reliable economy; bolstering our nation’s security at home and abroad; ensuring domestic prosperity; and holding government accountable to rein in abuse and corruption,” added the congressman. “I look forward to working with my colleagues in a Republican majority to turn this commitment into reality for hardworking Americans in Alabama’s 4th District and across this great country.”
Dylan Smith is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
Don’t miss out! Subscribe today to have Alabama’s leading headlines delivered to your inbox.