Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Congress' Top Priorities for 2015

...according to Senator Cruz.
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Ted Cruz: A GOP Congress' top priorities

The Texas Republican took it upon himself to lay out the vision of what he thinks a Republican-led Congress should do in 2015 if they retake the Senate after the midterms, outlining a 10-point agenda in a USA Today op-ed published Sunday.

With plans to abolish the IRS and repeal Obamacare, Cruz acknowledged that Republicans would likely face vetoes from President Barack Obama and filibusters from Senate Democrats. But the potential 2016 presidential candidate appeared to look further than next month's election, saying obstruction from Democrats would drive Republican success in 2016.

"We should lead boldly. No Washington games," Cruz said. "We will either pass a serious agenda to address the real priorities of the American people ... or the Democrats will filibuster or veto these bills. And, if they do so, we will have transparency and accountability for the very next election."

Cruz's Op-ed marks a shift in the 2014 elections, which Republicans have sought to define as a referendum on Obama. Now, Republicans are being pressed to say what taking back the Senate would be -- rather than focusing on what it wouldn't be -- and Cruz is offering that vision.

The junior senator said the top priority of a Republican Congress in 2015 would be to stimulate the economy and create jobs with a focus on American energy. Republicans would authorize the controversial Keystone pipeline and cut down on environmental regulations that hamper fracking, have cracked down on coal and stymied the growth of natural gas, Cruz said.

And Republican talk about repealing Obamacare is anything but hot air. Cruz, who is a tea party favorite, said his party would "pursue all means possible to repeal Obamacare" -- repealing the act "and then pass bill after bill to mitigate the harms of Obamacare."

Cruz conceded that Obama could veto "every one" of those bills, but said "each has powerful appeal with the electorate who are hurting under this law."

Cruz also pointed to other facets of the right's agenda: from repealing the Common Core education standards "so that local curriculum is not mandated by Washington bureaucrats" to securing the border and stopping "illegal amnesty."

"We should welcome and celebrate legal immigrants who follow the rules, and at the same time honor the will of the people and prevent any more illegal amnesty," Cruz said.

On the financial side, Cruz said Congress should pass a balanced budget amendment to eliminate the current and prevent future deficits. He also called for Republicans to abolish the IRS and establish a flat tax, instead of the progressive tax rate that fluctuates based on wealth.

In addition to auditing the Federal Reserve and stopping a "culture of corruption," -- in part by preventing members of Congress from becoming lobbyists and establishing term limits -- Cruz tied the last of his ten priorities to foreign policy.

A Republican Congress, he said, would "deal seriously with the twin threats of ISIL and a nuclear Iran."

"We must rebuild our military, protect our nation, and restore America's leadership in the world," he said.

early voting today, fixing to head down there and vote,

warm....warmer...DISCO!!

I would vote for cruz. Just not convinced everyone else will.

All hot air... NONE of it will be done..

Problem is, Cruz is speaking FOR CRUZ, not for the Republican Party. Can't get anything done by himself.

I was the first voter this morning

I can't think about politics after going to Buc ee's for my first time.

did you get your beaver nuggets.

Cruz conceded that Obama could veto "every one" of those bills, but said "each has powerful appeal with the electorate who are hurting under this law."

KRAUTHAMMER
Memo to the GOP: Win the Senate, then enact an agenda and dare the president to veto it. Show the country what you stand for. Then take it to the nation in 2016.

I would.

Man I would love to see a flat rate tax. It would shut all these libs the hell up about everyone "paying their fair share" crap they keep pushing.

Taken the Senate away from Reid and Obama is not all Hot Air.

You would rather they do nothing?

I have a hard time believing any of it will get done any time soon if ever but I will keep voting in that direction.

If Cruz is on the ticket in 2016, he will get my vote. He's the only one with enough balls to come out and say what needs to be done.

I wish he lived in Alaska though. lol

Good job,,, if you leave work a little early you should be able to get to the poll's in time to vote again this afternoon.

I certainly hope the Republicans win the Senate, but its far from a slam dunk. I expect the Dems to pull out all stops & retain majority by a slim margin. On the comments about IRS tax revisions. I'm taking a course in Federal Tax Law at a local university & there was a discussion in one of the first classes about meaningful revision in the Tax Code. Consensus was that too many special interest are at risk for major changes. Real estate developers, loan companies, & banks want the house interest credit to remain. Farmers want to continue to receive subsidies, CPA's & tax preparers want to continue to make profits from interpreting the convoluted tax code. All these special interest groups contribute to politician's & want the tax code to remain unchanged for their own interest.

Me too.

Ernie

...their TOP priority for 2015 will be to give themselves a raise and more vacation time.
Because WE all know they have earned it !

Lets see if I have it right.

Everybody bitch and moan because Congress/Candidates/Politicians don't have the balls to step up.

When they do step up...