By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
The Republican party has unveiled an updated version of the 1994 Contract with America that pledges to repeal ObamaCare, tackle out-of-control spending, and permanently prohibit all government spending on abortion.
The Hill is reporting that the new contract, which was officially unveiled today, focuses mainly on fiscal issues, but does include a vow “to honor families, traditional marriage, life, and the private and faith-based organizations that form the core of our American values.”
One component of this promise includes permanently enacting the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits the use of taxpayer funds for abortion.
“Americans are overwhelmingly opposed to using tax dollars to pay for abortion, and the executive order issued by President Obama in conjunction with congressional passage of the health care law is inadequate to ensure taxpayer funds are not used in this manner,” the document states.
“We will establish a government-wide prohibition on taxpayer funding of abortion and subsidies for insurance coverage that includes abortion. This includes enacting into law what is known as the Hyde Amendment. We will also enact into law conscience protections for health care providers, including doctors, nurses, and hospitals,” the draft document says.
The pledge strikes a populist chord by stating: “Politicians in Washington have imposed an agenda that doesn’t reflect the priorities of the people. What’s worse, the most important decisions are made behind closed doors, where a flurry of backroom deals has supplanted the will of the people.”
They go on to promise that any bill moving through Congress will include “a clause citing the specific constitutional authority upon which the bill is justified.” They are also promising to give lawmakers and the public at least three days to read every bill before a vote.
If given control of Congress in the fall, conservative lawmakers are also promising to tackle out-of-control spending, which includes a vow to “repeal and replace” the vastly unpopular health care law. They suggest replacing ObamaCare with programs that would ensure more competitive insurance rates by allowing consumers to purchase health insurance across state lines and expanding personal health savings accounts.
In the area of immigration reform, conservatives are promising to strengthen border security in order to better control illegal immigration.
The plan also calls for fully funding the missile defense system, enforcing tough sanctions on Iran and keeping Guantanamo Bay in use for holding terrorism suspects.
Many of the ideas included in the pledge came from citizens who have been participating in the GOP’s “America Speaking Out” program, which was designed to allow people to express their opinion about how lawmakers should prioritize and deal with the issues they consider to be most important.
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