Showing posts with label Democrats. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Democrats. Show all posts

Saturday, January 7, 2023

McCarthy Remarks Upon Accepting the Gavel as Speaker of the House

McCarthy Remarks Upon Accepting the Gavel as Speaker of the House

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Kevin McCarthy (CA-20) was sworn in as the 55th Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Below are the Speaker's remarks as prepared and the remarks will be streamed live here.

"Hakeem – I need to warn you: I also won 100 percent of my conference vote on this floor two years ago. So, good luck! 

"I also want to thank the gentlelady who served as our presiding officer this week – our clerk Cheryl Johnson. Thank you Madame Clerk! 

"You know – my father always told me: It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. And now we need to finish strong for the American people.

"If the son of a fireman and grandchild of immigrants can rise to the highest position in the most important legislative body in the world. 

"And if my colleague Hakeem Jeffries with his life story can rise to lead his party then opportunity and democracy still thrive in America.

"To Leader Jeffries – there will be times we will agree and many times we will differ. I promise that our debates will be passionate, but never personal.

"And now the hard work begins. What we do here today, next week, next month, and next year will set the tone for everything that follows.  

"Tonight, I want to talk directly to the American people.

"As Speaker of the House, my ultimate responsibility is not to my party, my conference, or even our Congress.

"My responsibility – our responsibility – is to our country.

"Two months ago, you voted for a new direction for our country. You embraced our Commitment to America. And now, we are going to keep our commitment to you.

"It’s a commitment for an economy that is strong – where you can fill up your tank and feed your family; where paychecks grow, not shrink.

"A commitment for a nation that’s safe – where communities are protected, law enforcement is respected, and criminals are prosecuted.

"A commitment for a future that is built on freedom – where children come first and are taught to dream big, because, in America, dreams can still come true.

"A commitment for a government that is accountable – where Americans get the answers they want, need, and deserve.

"Our system is built on checks and balances. It’s time for us to be the check and provide some balance to the President’s policies.

"There is nothing more important than making it possible for American families to live and enjoy the lives they deserve.

"That is why we commit to stop wasteful Washington spending to lower the price of groceries, gas, cars, and housing and stop the rising national debt.

"We pledge to cut the regulatory burden, lower energy costs for families, and create good-paying jobs for workers by unleashing reliable, abundant American-made energy.

"Our first bill will repeal funding for 87,000 new IRS agents. Because the government should be here to help you, not go after you.

"We’re going to pass bills to fix the nation’s urgent challenges – from the wide open southern border to America-Last energy policies to woke indoctrination in our schools.

"We will also address America’s long-term challenges: the debt and the Chinese Communist Party. Congress must speak with one voice on both of these issues.

"That is why we will end wasteful Washington spending! From now on, if a federal bureaucrat wants to spend it, they will come before this institution to defend it. 

"As for the Chinese Communist Party, we will create a bipartisan Select Committee on China to investigate how to bring back hundreds of thousands of jobs that went to China and win the economic competition.

"Speaking of committees – we will hold the Swamp accountable – from the withdrawal from Afghanistan to the origins of COVID to the weaponization of the FBI.

"We will use the power of the purse and the power of the subpoena to get the job done.

"This is something we should all agree on – we will stand up and speak out for the backbone of our economy: the hardworking taxpayers.

"It’s nighttime here in Washington… but in some ways, it’s also a new beginning, a fresh start.

"My friends – this chamber is now fully open for all Americans. 

"From the Committee Room to this Floor, we commit to pursue the truth passionately and embrace debate. No more one-sided inquiries. Competing ideas will be put to the test in public so that the best ideas win.

"But we also pledge to bring Congress to the people. Because answers have not and will not always be found in Washington.

"That’s why one of our first hearings will be held at the Southern border. No more ignoring this crisis of safety and sovereignty. We must secure our border.

"We must get America back on track. 

"On a personal note, I want to say thank you to my family: my wife, Judy, my children Meghan, Connor and Emily, my brother Marc, Monica, and Zac, and my mom Bert. I am where I am because you are who you are.   
 
"I would also like to thank my constituents in California’s Central Valley – especially my hometown of Bakersfield. 
"As Buck Owens sings, 'how many of you that sit and judge me ever walked the streets of Bakersfield?'
"Well, I’ve walked those streets. I know its people. They are hard working and relentlessly optimistic about our future – and I’m honored to represent them in Congress. 
"As a son of a firefighter, I saw first hand how teamwork, leadership, and service to others can change people’s lives. And that is exactly why we are here today: to serve you – the people. 
"We come here with the support of our families and the faith of our neighbors to be their voice in Washington.  
 
"For the husbands and wives, children and parents who are watching a loved one be sworn in, remember this moment. Take it in.  
 
"Your loved one is about to become a part of history.  
 
"My colleagues and I thank you for your understanding and your sacrifice. And we will work every day to make you proud.
 
"Abraham Lincoln – a member of the House of Representatives for one term – gave his life in service to this country. One of his most important observations about America applies today as much as it did 160 years ago: 
 
"'We are striving to maintain the government and institutions of our fathers, to enjoy them ourselves, and to transmit them to our children and our children’s children forever.'   
 
"My fellow Americans, that is still our mission today.
 
"This moment calls for restoring trust within the country and with each other. 
 
"In that spirit, I will work with anyone and everyone who shares our passion to deliver a better future for the nation. I hope you will join me. As a Congress, we can only operate when we cooperate.
  
"It’s time for us to be their voice and worthy of their vote.
"Let me close with this.
"I hope one thing is clear after this week: I will never give up.
 
"I will never give up for you, the American people. 
"And I will never give up on keeping our Commitment to America.
"Our nation is worth fighting for. 
"Our rights are worth fighting for. 
"Our dreams are worth fighting for. 
"Our future is worth fighting for.

"Therefore, with love for this country and charity for each other, let us now take our Oath and be 'worthy of the office on which we are about to enter.'

"God Bless everyone in this Chamber, and God Bless America.

Copyright © 2023 House of Representatives, All rights reserved.
Speaker Kevin McCarthy


Monday, May 9, 2011

Post Bin Laden Death, President Obama's Job Rating Rises 8 Points



Post Bin Laden Death, President Obama's Job Rating Rises 8 Points
Highest rating for President Obama since September, 2009

PR Newswire

NEW YORK, May 9, 2011

NEW YORK, May 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- With the news that the most wanted man in America had been killed by Navy Seals, President Obama had one reason to breathe a sigh of relief last week. Now, he has another as Americans seemed to rally around not only him but also feel better about the state of the country. Currently, just under half (46%) of U.S. adults give President Obama positive ratings on the overall job he is doing, a rise of eight points from last month when only 38% gave him positive marks. Just over half (54%) give the President negative ratings, down from 62% who did so last month. This is also the highest rating for the President since September of 2009 when almost half (49%) of Americans gave him positive ratings.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100517/NY06256LOGO )

These are some of the results of The Harris Poll of 2,104 adults surveyed online between May 4 and 6, 2011 by Harris Interactive.



Democrats and Independents contribute the most to this rise. Over three-quarters of Democrats (77%) now give President Obama positive marks for his overall job approval, up from seven in ten (69%) last month. Among Independents, almost two in five (38%) give the President positive ratings up from three in ten (31%) in April. There is even a small rise among Republicans – in April, just 9% gave the President positive ratings; now, 12% do.

Congress also sees a small rise in their job ratings. Currently, just over one in ten Americans (13%) give the overall job Congress is doing positive ratings, up five points from last month when just 8% gave them positive marks. However, almost nine in ten (87%) still give them negative ratings.

The largest positive jump is in how the country overall is doing. In April, just one-quarter of Americans (26%) thought the country was heading in the right direction while 74% thought it was going off on the wrong track. Now, two in five U.S. adults (39%) say it is going in the right direction while 61% believe it is on the wrong track – a jump of 12 points.

So What?

The news from the White House late on Sunday, May 1st has caused many Americans to feel more positive about life in general and the way this country is going. This, in turn, translates into positive feelings about the President and even, albeit to a lesser extent, Congress. The question is does this hold or is it a temporary rise until something brings it back down. If the election were held today, the country is split on President Obama's re-election as 46% of Americans would be likely to vote for him and 47% would not be likely to do so. More than his approval ratings, these are the numbers the White House and re-election committee are watching closely.

Click here for the details



Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Americans Divided on U.S. Involvement in Egypt


Phot Credit: Overoll.com

7 Feb 2011 18:21 Africa/Lagos


Americans Divided on U.S. Involvement in Egypt

Almost half of Republicans and Democrats think U.S. should be involved while almost half of Independents think the U.S. should not be involved

PR Newswire

NEW YORK, Feb. 7, 2011

NEW YORK, Feb. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As the political unrest in Egypt continues, there is a question of how involved the United States should be in helping to solve the problems. Should the U.S. sit on the sidelines or is it more appropriate for U.S. diplomats to be front and center on this issue? Americans are clearly divided on how involved the United States should be. Just over two in five U.S. adults (43%) believe the U.S. should be involved, with 12% saying very involved and 31% saying somewhat involved. Almost the same number (42%) believe the United States should not be involved with 21% each saying not very involved and not at all involved, while 15% of Americans are not at all sure how involved the U.S. should be.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100517/NY06256LOGO)

These are some of the results of The Harris Poll ® of 2,060 adults surveyed online between February 2 and 4, 2011 by Harris Interactive®.

Ideas on involvement vary by age

When it comes to how involved the U.S. should be in the political unrest in Egypt right now, there are some differences that emerge by age. Almost half (48%) of those 55 and older as well as 45% of those 18-34 believe that the United States should be involved. Those 35-44 and 45-54 are of a different mind. Almost half (47%) of both of these age groups say the United States should not be involved in Egypt. In fact, over one-quarter of those 45-54 (26%) say the U.S. should not be involved at all.

Partisan agreement

There are not many things Democrats and Republicans agree on right now, but involvement in Egypt's current political unrest is one of them. Almost half of Democrats (48%) and Republicans (48%) say the U.S. should be involved while 40% of Republicans and 37% of Democrats say the U.S. should not be involved. Independents, however, think differently. Almost half of them (47%) say the United States should not be involved in the current unrest while two in five Independents (40%) believe the U.S. should be involved.

So what?

The political unrest in Egypt is not likely to disappear any time in the near future. Things may calm, but the tension will still be simmering. And, even when President Mubarak is no longer in power, there is no guarantee that the unrest will be over. Americans are all watching events unfold but, at the moment, seem to be unclear as to the level of involvement the United States should have. As things evolve there, likely so will attitudes in the U.S.

More details.



Thursday, August 19, 2010

Growing Number of Americans Who Say Barack Obama is a Muslim

9 Aug 2010 05:01 Africa/Lagos



New Pew Research Center Survey Reveals Growing Number of Americans Who Say Barack Obama is a Muslim

WASHINGTON, Aug. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new national survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press and the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life finds that a substantial and growing number of Americans say that Barack Obama is a Muslim, while the proportion saying he is a Christian has declined. More than a year and a half into his presidency, a plurality of the public says they do not know what religion Obama follows.

According to the survey, nearly one-in-five Americans (18%) now say Obama is a Muslim -- an increase from 11% in March 2009. Only about one-third of adults (34%) say Obama is a Christian, a sharp decrease from 48% in 2009. Fully 43% say they do not know what Obama's religion is. The survey was completed in early August, before Obama's recent comments about the proposed construction of a mosque near the site of the former World Trade Center.

The belief that Obama is a Muslim has increased most sharply among Republicans (up 14 points since 2009), especially conservative Republicans (up 16 points). But the number of independents who say Obama is a Muslim has also increased significantly (up eight points). There has been little change in the number of Democrats who say Obama is a Muslim, but fewer Democrats today say he is a Christian (down nine points since 2009).

The new poll, conducted between July 21 and Aug. 5 among 3,003 respondents, also examines the link between Americans' perception of Obama's religion and their opinion of his job performance, and covers views on the President's approach to religion, including the influence of his religious beliefs on policy decisions. In addition, the survey explores Americans' attitudes toward churches' involvement in politics and religion's influence on American life and government, and looks at religion's impact on voting preferences for the upcoming 2010 congressional races.

The report, including a summary and topline questionnaire, will be accessible on the Forum's new Web feature, "Religion & Politics 2010," which provides a variety of election resources, including:
-- Poll analyses and survey reports on topics related to the midterm
elections
-- Links to news stories about religion-related issues impacting 2010
congressional and gubernatorial races around the country
-- "Election news briefs" highlighting interesting articles and common
themes making news headlines

The Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life conducts surveys, demographic analyses and other social science research on important aspects of religion and public life in the U.S. and around the world. As part of the Washington-based Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan, nonadvocacy organization, the Pew Forum does not take positions on any of the issues it covers or on policy debates.
Source: Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life

CONTACT: Liga Plaveniece of Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion &
Public Life, Communications Coordinator, +1-202-419-4586
Web Site: http://www.pewforum.org/