In his first speech to Congress after being elected the 55th Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) pledged to hold the Biden administration accountable, fix the economy, and win the economic battle with China.
In a 20-minute speech, McCarthy laid out the key issues for the GOP-controlled House for the 118th Congress.
The issues McCarthy highlighted included securing the southern border, reigning in government spending, lowering energy costs, creating good-paying jobs, opening the way for American-made energy, and combating leftist “woke” indoctrination in schools.
In the long term, the new speaker said Congress also needs to address the growing U.S. debt and the rise of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
“Tonight, I want to talk directly to the American people. As Speaker of the House, my ultimate responsibility is not to my party, my conference, or even our Congress. My responsibility—our responsibility—is to our country,” McCarthy said. “Two months ago, you voted for a new direction for our country. You embraced our commitment to America, and now we’re going to keep our commitment to you.”
Checking the President’s Policies
McCarthy said the GOP-controlled House’s commitment to the American people includes making the economy strong, enabling people to fill up their gas tanks, afford groceries, see their paychecks grow, and feel safe in their communities because law enforcement is respected and criminals are prosecuted.
“A commitment for a government that is held accountable. Where Americans get the answers they want, need, and deserve,” he said. “Our system is built on checks and balances. It’s time for us to be a check and provide some balance to the president’s policies.”
“There’s nothing more important than making it possible for American families to live and enjoy the lives they deserve,” he continued. “That is why we commit to stop wasteful Washington spending, to lower the price of groceries, gas, cars, housing, and stop the rising national debt.”
McCarthy pledged to cut the regulatory burden, lower energy costs for families, and “create good-paying jobs for workers by releasing reliable, abundant American-made energy.”