House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) pitched his party’s efforts to bolster the middle class Saturday, insisting GOP efforts to approve the Keystone XL pipeline and repeal ObamaCare would grow the economy.
McCarthy, pointing to a recent Gallup poll that found fewer Americans consider themselves middle class, said the House’s agenda over the next year and a half would “focus like a laser” on expanding economic opportunity.
{mosads}“The Obama economy is squeezing the middle class and the president’s failed agenda is crushing our economy, making it harder for Americans to get and stay ahead,” McCarthy said.
In addition to Keystone and ObamaCare, McCarthy also noted the House GOP’s efforts to expand tax-free accounts for college savings and Republicans’ continued assault on regulations.
Republicans have sought to battle their reputation as the party for the rich in recent years, especially in the wake of Mitt Romney’s “47 percent” comments in 2012.
Democrats have themselves employed a more populist economic pitch recently, which they say would have a more direct impact on the lives of working- and middle-class Americans. Proposals from leading Democrats include increasing the minimum wage and ensuring paid sick leave for workers.