This morning, The American Spectator hosted
Congressman Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas) as part of our Newsmaker
Breakfast series. Hensarling is chairman of the Republican Study
Committee and we discussed the efforts of House conservatives --
always a minority -- to influence the agenda in a Democratic
Congress.
Hensarling rebutted the notion that conservatives take a "do
nothing" approach to the mortgage crisis and economic anxieties,
pointing to a bill called the Economic Growth Act of 2008. The
legislation would index capital gains to inflation, allow companies
to fully deduct the purchase of new assets, and reduce the
corporate income tax from 35 percent to 25 percent. Hensarling
argued such moves would "unlock billions of dollars of capital,"
promote job creation, and enhance global competitiveness.
Other RSC initiatives include efforts to ensure that President
Bush's vetoes of bloated spending bills are sustained and earmark
reform. Hensarling conceded that earmarks a very small percentage
of federal expenditures but argued they are a big part of "the
culture of spending." He predicted that with John McCain as the
presidential nominee, more Republican congressional candidates
would oppose earmarks and excessive spending. Hensarling defended
current Iraq spending, argued for ANWR drilling, and said he would
promote free trade with his last breath.
Hensarling was optimistic about McCain's chances in November,
pointing to Hillary Clinton's high negatives and Barack Obama's
Senate voting record, which the congressman characterized as "more
liberal than avowed socialist Bernie Sanders from Vermont."
Hensarling called McCain "a conservative who can win," pointing to
his appeal among moderates and independents. But Hensarling was
less optimistic that the Democratic majority would promote many RSC
legislative items. "I doubt a bill with my name on it could pass
this Congress," he said.
topics:
Trade, John McCain, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Earmarks, Iraq
