The president says he can make things happen
with a pen and a phone, but he should "put down the pen he uses to rewrite laws" and "pick up the phone" to call on Democrats to pass jobs bills, Louisiana Republican Rep. Steve Scalise said Saturday.
Delivering the weekly Republican address, Scalise, the incoming House Majority Whip, charged Democrats have blocked "bill after bill" that would "expand energy production, lower gas prices and create jobs," including the Keystone XL pipeline.
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"American energy brings billions into our economy, increases our nation’s energy security, and helps lower gas prices at the pump," he said. And "the American people know energy is the best way to jumpstart our economy."
Scalise touted his upbringing that taught him to "work hard, play by the rules and never give up."
"It’s what’s made America the greatest country on earth," yet, he said, "That’s a lesson Democrats in Washington don’t seem to understand."
"They think every problem can be solved by raising taxes and borrowing money we don’t have to grow an already bloated federal government," a philosophy that has left the nation with a "record 92 million" Americans unemployed.
"Washington Democrats have said no to legislation to rein in the size of government, no to fixing our broken tax code, and no to lower health care costs," he charged.
"What will it be, Mr. President? Will you put down the pen and stop trying to rewrite laws you don’t like, and instead pick up the phone and call on Senate Democrats to get to work passing those good bipartisan jobs bills?"
"Will you help us make real progress, or will you sit by and encourage more gridlock and more politics as usual? It’s your call."
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