By Matt Clyburn
U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan called for cutting federal spending, diminishing the national debt and reestablishing principles of limited government Tuesday in the Republican response to President Obama’s State of the Union address.
A response is presented each year immediately following the address by a representative of the sitting president’s opposing political party. The parties will often use the airtime as a springboard for up-and-coming political stars; this year was no exception.
Republicans also chose this as an opportune moment to bring Ryan’s forthcoming budget battle to the front of consciousness for the American people.
“We believe the days of business as usual must come to an end,” Ryan said as he emphasized the president’s missteps with taxpayer funds, the new national health care law and job creation. “[Obama] failed to deliver on [his] promise to create jobs.”
Ryan, chairman of the House Budget Committee, also addressed the recent healthcare law, calling it an “open healthcare entitlement” and a path to rising costs and rising premiums. The taxes, penalties, mandates and fees, Ryan suggested, have stifled job growth and will cause many to lose the coverage they currently have.
The House voted to repeal the Obama healthcare law last week, once the new Republican majority was settled. Many observers believe the attempt at repeal will fail, as Democrats maintain their majority in the U.S. Senate.
If the repeal passes, Ryan promised to “replace it with fiscally responsible, patient-centered reforms that actually reduce costs and expand coverage.”
The Wisconsin Congressman at times commended Obama’s words and said that Republicans wanted to “work with the president to restrain federal spending,” but stressed that “the president and the Democratic Leadership have shown, by their actions, that they believe government needs its size and its reach, its price tag and its power.”
Ryan seized the platform to emphasize the ideals of the Republican Party, promising “a better choice and a different vision.” Beginning several statements with the affirmation “we believe,” Ryan recounted the principles of vital and limited government that the founders put forth nearly 250 years ago, including national defense, individual liberty and upholding both federal law and Constitutional rights.
More modern ideas were brought to light as well, including creating the proper conditions for entrepreneurship and upward mobility, providing a safety net for our country’s least fortunate and securing our national borders.
“America is an exceptional nation,” Ryan said near the conclusion of his address.“In all the chapters of human history, there has never been anything quite like America; the American story has been cherished, advanced and defended over the centuries.”