The Republican Party is not dead

{mosads}It also cannot be ignored that the GOP holds 30 governorships, a majority of state legislatures and, most importantly, the GOP still holds the majority in the U.S. House: 232-200.

We are strong because House Republicans have been there for the American people since the start of the 113th Congress. For all the attention that the so-called GOP divide has been given, House Republicans have been more united than ever. We came together in mid-January and agreed on a strategy to work for the American people. We agreed to pass legislation that will make their lives better; we pledged to stop giving away taxpayer bailouts that simply results in less money for families and we promised to stop the mortgaging of their children’s future.

The president raised our taxes. He wanted more. We House Republicans said “no more.” We have stood together in the breach as he campaigned around the country dividing the American people with fear and a failure of leadership that was beneath the office of the presidency. We said “no” and saved American families money. Period.

We, House Republicans, believe that a balanced budget means more jobs for American families. It means keeping Social Security and Medicare intact for seniors and it means that it will be just a little easier for American families to make ends meet. So we told the Senate – “No Budget, No Pay.”
And for the first time in over four years the Senate passed a budget – a whopper. Their budget raises taxes on Americans by $1 trillion, adds trillions to our debt and never balances. Our budget balances in 10 years, repeals ObamaCare, keeps taxes low and preserves Social Security and Medicare for seniors while securing the future for our kids and grandkids.

We, House Republicans, are still fighting to get Americans back to work. The president has done very little to help the 20 million unemployed and underemployed citizens get back to work with the skills they need to compete in this tough economy. We stepped up and passed the Skills Act, which cuts through the red tape and streamlines job training programs making it easier for Americans to find work. It received 2 – count them – 2 – Democrat votes. Disgraceful.

National Republicans will come back to win in 2014 by working for middle class families; by communicating more effectively; and by continuing to work for all Americans to make it just a little easier for their American dream to come true. 

We do not need a report to lay out what is wrong. We need to continue to work and defend our principles just as House Republicans have done since the beginning of this new Congress. We must enact the Keystone pipeline that will lead to lower gas and energy prices and will make it a little easier for the single mother of two to pay her bills and make it to the 15th and 30th of every month.

We do not need a Republican Party autopsy – the party is not dead.  The party is alive and well in the House, in the National Republican Congressional Committee and in Districts across America. 

We do not need to compromise on our ideals – we need to stand on principle while building the future that Americans deserve. That’s what House Republican leadership has done since January 3 – we have stood in the breach as the president and his Senate attempted to intimidate and circumvent Congress.

We, House Republicans, will not allow the president and his U.S. Senate to hurt the American people anymore. The Republican Party is alive — and we will never stop fighting for every American family.

Wagner represents Missouri’s 2nd Congressional District.