Statement of former U.S. Rep. Amory F. Houghton (R-NY) and former U.S. Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA)

(Washington, D.C.) – This morning, U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords announced her resignation from Congress in order to focus on rehabilitation and recovery from wounds suffered in a Tucson shooting last January.  In response, former U.S. Reps. Amory F. Houghton and Tom Davis issued the following statement: “Like all Americans, we are moved by the strength, courage and heroism of Rep. Gabby Giffords.  We thank her for her service to the citizens of Arizona and to the people of this country.  Our thoughts and prayers will be with her and her family.”

# # #

The Republican Main Street Partnership (RMSP) is dedicated to promoting and building a pragmatic, thoughtful, fiscally conservative, and inclusive “Governing Majority,” where political debate is encouraged to promote solutions to improve the lives of all Americans. Embracing the full spectrum of center-right ideologies and values in order to build coalitions, RMSP is the largest organization of elected leaders who are in the mold of Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, and Ronald Reagan. For more information on RMSP, visit our website at www.republicanmainstreet.org.

Statements of former U.S. Rep. Amory F. Houghton (R-NY) and former U.S. Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA)

(Washington, D.C.) – Tonight, President Barack Obama delivered the State of the Union address.  In response, former U.S. Rep. Amory F. Houghton, Chairman of the RMSP Board, and former U.S. Rep. Tom Davis, President of RMSP, issued the following statements:

Former U.S. Rep. Amory F. Houghton – “I was in DC today for the 25^th anniversary of my election to Congress.  Much has changed over those 25 years, but much in Washington remains the same.  I have seen Presidents – both Republican and Democrat – deliver eloquent State of the Union addresses.  The real test for how successful a President’s State of the Union address is isn’t how eloquent it is, but instead is that President’s ability to turn the rhetoric of that speech into the reality of action on the Hill.

“If President Obama is serious about governing, then he needs to put partisanship aside, and reach out across the aisle to find common ground.  There are serious challenges facing this country, and there are serious people in both parties who are interested in finding common-sense solutions to these challenges.  There will always be time for politics, the President should take the time to govern.”
Former U.S. Rep. Tom Davis – “Over the last few months the President and his campaign team have made it clear that he intends on running against the ‘do-nothing’ Congress.  Instead of seeking confrontation with Congress – a Congress that his party controls one half of – the President should instead seek cooperation.

“The American people have grown weary of politics as usual in Washington and the abysmal approval ratings for DC reflect a total loss of confidence in our systems of government.  Americans want a Washington that works, not a Washington at war.

“Tonight, the President laid out his vision for America.  In the Republican response, Governor Mitch Daniels laid out a much different vision.  It is easy for us to agree on the problems we face, it is much harder to find agreement on the solutions.  It is time for our leaders in Washington to show the political courage and leadership to find that common ground.

“By working together we can rebuild our economy and create jobs for American workers.  Together Washington can lower the tax burden on families and small businesses, undertake dramatic regulatory reform, cut wasteful spending, and deal head on with the looming fiscal crisis we face.”

# # #

The Republican Main Street Partnership (RMSP) is dedicated to promoting and building a pragmatic, thoughtful, fiscally conservative, and inclusive “Governing Majority,” where political debate is encouraged to promote solutions to improve the lives of all Americans. Embracing the full spectrum of center-right ideologies and values in order to build coalitions, RMSP is the largest organization of elected leaders who are in the mold of Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, and Ronald Reagan. For more information on RMSP, visit our website at www.republicanmainstreet.org.

Statement of former U.S. Rep. Amory F. Houghton (R-NY) and former U.S. Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA)

(Washington, D.C.) – This morning, U.S. Senator Mark Kirk underwent surgery in Illinois following an ischemic stroke.  In response, former U.S. Reps. Amory F. Houghton and Tom Davis issued the following statement: “We ask you all to join us in keeping Senator Mark Kirk in your thoughts and prayers. We hope and pray that Mark’s recovery is a swift one.”

# # #

The Republican Main Street Partnership (RMSP) is dedicated to promoting and building a pragmatic, thoughtful, fiscally conservative, and inclusive “Governing Majority,” where political debate is encouraged to promote solutions to improve the lives of all Americans. Embracing the full spectrum of center-right ideologies and values in order to build coalitions, RMSP is the largest organization of elected leaders who are in the mold of Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, and Ronald Reagan. For more information on RMSP, visit our website at www.republicanmainstreet.org.

Joint Statement of former US Rep. Amory F. Houghton (R-NY), Chair of the RMSP Board, and former US Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA), President of RMSP

(Washington, D.C.) – “Last night, the Republican-controlled House passed the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act by a vote of 234 to 193 – 10 Democrats joined with Republicans to pass this important bill.

“The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act will extend the payroll tax cut – ensuring that tens of millions of hard-working Americans do not see an increase in their taxes after the first of the year. The bill also extends unemployment insurance to help those who continue to struggle in the Obama economy.

“Additionally, this legislation contains a provision that would help create thousands of good-paying jobs and helps make America more energy independent by speeding the approval process for the Keystone XL pipeline.

“This bill accomplishes much, and pays for all of it without job-killing tax increases. We urge the Senate to act on and pass this critical bipartisan legislation.”

# # #

The Republican Main Street Partnership (RMSP) is dedicated to promoting and building a pragmatic, thoughtful, fiscally conservative, and inclusive “Governing Majority,” where political debate is encouraged to promote solutions to improve the lives of all Americans. Embracing the full spectrum of center-right ideologies and values in order to build coalitions, RMSP is the largest organization of elected leaders who are in the mold of Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, and Ronald Reagan. For more information on RMSP, visit our website at www.republicanmainstreet.org.

Former U.S. Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA) – “Republican leaders in the House have put forward a serious and impressive plan that will create jobs, repair our infrastructure and expand domestic production of energy.”

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, the Republican Main Street Partnership, the largest organization of elected centrists in the nation, praised the recently unveiled H.R. 7 – the American Energy & Infrastructure Jobs Act.  “Republican leaders in the House have put forward a serious and impressive plan that will create jobs, repair our infrastructure and expand domestic production of energy,” said former U.S. Rep Tom Davis (R-VA), President of the Republican Main Street Partnership.  “It accomplishes all of this without raising taxes or running up more federal debt.”

The details of the legislation, which were released by Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and other House Congressional leaders today, does two things to support long-term job growth:  its expands American energy production and use the revenues to repair and improve America’s roads and bridges.

The legislation includes opening up more offshore drilling for oil and natural gas, establishing clear rules for the extraction of oil from shale rock and also opens up a small portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to exploratory drilling.

According to Speaker Boehner, the bill will, “create millions of jobs by eliminating unnecessary barriers that prevent us from using our vast energy resources.  Second, by expanding American energy production we can help lower fuel prices for American families and small businesses, and can provide a new revenue stream for infrastructure repair and improvement.  And thirdly, the bill will include reforms that speed up the bureaucratic approvals that delay important infrastructure projects.”

Additionally, the legislation will streamline the approval process for transportation infrastructure, provide states with more flexibility on how to spend federal dollars and seek to bring private capital to bear to increase funding for critical infrastructure projects.

# # #

The Republican Main Street Partnership (RMSP) is dedicated to promoting and building a pragmatic, thoughtful, fiscally conservative, and inclusive “Governing Majority,” where political debate is encouraged to promote solutions to improve the lives of all Americans. Embracing the full spectrum of center-right ideologies and values in order to build coalitions, RMSP is the largest organization of elected leaders who are in the mold of Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, and Ronald Reagan. For more information on RMSP, visit our website at www.republicanmainstreet.org.

Former U.S. Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA) – “It is time for this Administration to act on this job creating project that will aid in efforts to put America on the road to energy independence.”

(Washington, D.C.) –  Today, the Republican Main Street Partnership (RMSP) joined Republican leaders in both chambers of Congress in calling for the Obama administration to act on the Keystone XL pipeline.  “It is time for this Administration to act on this job creating project that will aid in efforts to put America on the road to energy independence,” said former U.S. Rep Tom Davis (R-VA), President of RMSP.

The Keystone XL pipeline has undergone an exhaustive review. A draft, supplemental draft and final Environmental Impact Statement have been issued – totaling more than 10,000 pages. Fourteen proposed routes for the pipeline have been studied.

“The time to act is now,” continued Davis.  “The President has spoken at length about how long we have between now and next year’s election.  He is right, which is why he should not delay a decision on this important project for purely political reasons.”

Earlier this year, the House passed the North-American Made Energy Security (NAMES) Act.  This bill would have required a decision to be made by the Obama administration on the Keystone XL project by November 1.  The NAMES Act is one of the 20 House-passed jobs bills that Senate Democrats continue to block.

“We urge the Obama administration to put politics aside and do what is in the best interest of the American economy and American workers,” concluded Davis.

# # #

The Republican Main Street Partnership (RMSP) is dedicated to promoting and building a pragmatic, thoughtful, fiscally conservative, and inclusive “Governing Majority,” where political debate is encouraged to promote solutions to improve the lives of all Americans. Embracing the full spectrum of center-right ideologies and values in order to build coalitions, RMSP is the largest organization of elected leaders who are in the mold of Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, and Ronald Reagan. For more information on RMSP, visit our website at www.republicanmainstreet.org.

Statement of former U.S. Rep. Amory F. Houghton (R-NY) and former U.S. Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA)

(Washington, D.C.) – “Today we honor those who have served, and those who currently serve, in our nation’s Armed Forces.  Our brave men and women in uniform have courageously fought to defend freedom and liberty across the globe.  We remember their service and recognize their sacrifice, as well as the sacrifice of their family and loved ones, on this Veterans Day.”

# # #

The Republican Main Street Partnership (RMSP) is dedicated to promoting and building a pragmatic, thoughtful, fiscally conservative, and inclusive “Governing Majority,” where political debate is encouraged to promote solutions to improve the lives of all Americans. Embracing the full spectrum of center-right ideologies and values in order to build coalitions, RMSP is the largest organization of elected leaders who are in the mold of Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, and Ronald Reagan

Statement of former U.S. Rep. Amory F. Houghton (R-NY), Chair of the RMSP Board & former U.S. Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA), President of RMSP

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, the House and Senate passed the trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea. In response, former U.S. Rep. Amory F. Houghton (R-NY), Chairman of the Board of the Republican Main Street Partnership, and former U.S. Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA), President of the Republican Main Street Partnership, issued the following statement:

“We are thrilled that these job-creating trade agreements have been passed by the House and Senate. These critical free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea will level the playing field for American businesses, increase exports and create tens of thousands of new jobs.

“We thank Congress for moving moving so quickly. These agreements have enjoyed broad bipartisan support and have been delayed for too long.

“Job creation is the single most important issue facing our country today, and these trade agreements are an important to first step to creating the economic climate that will spur the creation of much needed jobs.”
# # #

The Republican Main Street Partnership (RMSP) is dedicated to promoting and building a pragmatic, thoughtful, fiscally conservative, and inclusive “Governing Majority,” where political debate is encouraged to promote solutions to improve the lives of all Americans. Embracing the full spectrum of center-right ideologies and values in order to build coalitions, RMSP is the largest organization of elected leaders who are in the mold of Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, and Ronald Reagan. For more information on RMSP, visit our website at www.republicanmainstreet.org.

Statement on Transmission of the Free Trade Agreements

Statement of former U.S. Rep. Amory F. Houghton (R-NY), Chair of the RMSP Board & former U.S. Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA), President of RMSP

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, President Obama transmitted to Congress the trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea.  In response, former U.S. Rep. Amory F. Houghton (R-NY), Chairman of the Board of the Republican Main Street Partnership, and former U.S. Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA), President of the Republican Main Street Partnership, issued the following statement:

“We are pleased that President Obama has finally submitted these critical job-creating trade agreements to Congress.  The free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea will level the playing field for American businesses, increase exports and create tens of thousands of new jobs.

“These agreements have enjoyed broad bipartisan support and have been delayed for too long.  Congress should act swiftly to ensure that there is no further unnecessary delay, these trade agreements are an important to the long term economic health of our country.”

# # #

The Republican Main Street Partnership (RMSP) is dedicated to promoting and building a pragmatic, thoughtful, fiscally conservative, and inclusive “Governing Majority,” where political debate is encouraged to promote solutions to improve the lives of all Americans. Embracing the full spectrum of center-right ideologies and values in order to build coalitions, RMSP is the largest organization of elected leaders who are in the mold of Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, and Ronald Reagan. For more information on RMSP, visit our website at www.republicanmainstreet.org.