Cárdenas Statement On Speaker Paul Ryan
Cárdenas Statement On Speaker Paul Ryan
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, following the swearing-in of new Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, U.S. Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-San Fernando Valley), who served with Ryan on the House Budget Committee, released this statement:
“Speaker Ryan takes over the gavel as a proud servant of the American people,” said Cárdenas. “As I listened to his remarks following his swearing-in, I found myself agreeing with much of what he said. I have never shied away from honest, robust debate on any subject and I hope Speaker Ryan will encourage his side of the aisle to feel the same.
“I served on the Budget Committee with Speaker Ryan, and I saw the budgets he put forth. They benefitted the rich and soaked the middle class. Middle class families would have paid $3,000 more in taxes, while the rich kept more. I hope the Paul Ryan we heard today has decided to turn over a new leaf. I hope he really means it when he says we have to work for all Americans.
“At the same time, I believe Speaker Ryan understands that we must get back to work here in Washington. For too long, the House has failed the American people, by accepting the lowest common denominator as the way we do business. We must step up to the challenges this nation faces.
“We can encourage the greatness of the people of our nation, or we can continue voting and debating partisan, politically-motivated legislation, whose purpose is only to drive a wedge between Americans.
“It is my greatest hope that Speaker Ryan will work with Republicans and Democrats to pass legislation that creates more family-wage jobs, rebuilds our crumbling infrastructure, and provides hope to kids who want to get a great education and chase their American Dream. I hope he will buck the anti-science trend in his party to really begin addressing climate change and American energy independence. If he is willing to face these challenges, I am certainly ready to join with my Democratic colleagues to stand beside him.”
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