Cárdenas Calls For Bipartisan Support For New Speaker
Cárdenas Calls For Bipartisan Support For New Speaker
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-San Fernando Valley, Calif.) released a statement regarding the pending election of Speaker of the House of Representatives.
“Today’s actions by Rep. McCarthy were as much a surprise to me as any other Member of Congress. While many of my colleagues are satisfied to watch the Republican caucus implode, I am taken by a great moment of sadness for our nation.
“Since I arrived in Washington only three years ago, I have worked in two of the least productive sessions of Congress in the history of our nation. I have fought alongside members of the Republican caucus to pass intelligent, commonsense legislation that would help the American people. I was frustrated after championing failed Comprehensive Immigration Reform efforts that would create hundreds of thousands of jobs and add billions of dollars to our economy. Worst of all, I have heard from dozens of experts who have shown me that our roads, bridges, airports, pipes and other physical infrastructure are competing with our education system as the greatest domestic challenge our nation faces.
“We live in a time of unprecedented, almost unimaginable possibility, in the greatest country to ever grace the Earth. Unfortunately, the leadership of our nation is stagnant to the point where we are unable to take advantage of our greatest resource, the American people. We cannot give them the tools they need to build the nation we all desire.
“I have joined several bipartisan coalitions who are committed to solving the challenges that face our country. I believe it is critical at this point in our history that all like-minded members lend our support to a candidate for Speaker of the House who will govern on a bipartisan, pro-America platform.
“If the next Speaker of the House is going to break the gridlock and divisiveness of party politics to solve these challenges, they must be supported, in spirit and in vote, by Americans of both parties.
“I understand that the American people have elected a large majority of Republicans to run our House. Clearly, their actions must be respected. However, I do not believe that a majority of Republican voters elected any member of Congress with the intent of stopping the progress and growth of our nation. I know that the American people in general want a richer, bigger middle class, great schools for our kids, an infrastructure that helps our economy improve and laws that protect all Americans.
“I hope that we can find at least 218 American public servants who can elect a Speaker with those same ideals in mind. “
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