|
The GOP's Three Goals for Reconciliation 2.0
Your editorial “An Agenda-Less GOP Congress” (Nov. 15) suggests Republicans have no priorities “beyond populist stunts.” Last week proved otherwise. As the government reopened, the House GOP advanced legislation to roll back Biden-era regulations, expand domestic energy capacity, unlock our LNG potential and restore law and order in Washington. That is only the beginning.
The Republican Study Committee, the 189-member caucus for which I serve as chairman, has been developing a blueprint for a second reconciliation bill for months. In July, we formed a working group that charged members with creating proposals that could command majority support and survive Senate budget rules. We have since met with industry groups, grassroots organizations and reconciliation experts. The result is an ambitious framework that would cement the agenda Americans gave us a mandate to enact.
Our position is simple: Congress must codify the president’s executive actions with additional legislative reforms. Executive orders can be undone, regulations can be reversed, but statutory changes endure. Our framework advances at least three priorities.
Our framework advances at least three priorities.
• Affordability: Our proposal will put power into patients’ hands by creating healthcare options that protect pre-existing conditions while giving families real alternatives to ObamaCare. We’ll expand access to health savings accounts, grant employers more flexibility to help workers find coverage that fits their needs and remove barriers to affordable generic and biosimilar drugs. These reforms will kickstart competition and give citizens control over their healthcare decisions while reducing costs.
Americans also deserve to realize the dream of home ownership. On housing, we’ll eliminate the capital gains tax on primary home sales to expand the housing supply, convert underused federal buildings to residential use and promote mortgage portability so families aren’t trapped by rising rates.
• Law and order: Federal funding should reinforce the rule of law, not undermine it. We’ll reduce resources to sanctuary jurisdictions that refuse to cooperate with immigration enforcement and to states that issue driver’s licenses to illegal aliens, which creates public safety risks. We will likewise propose plans to safeguard our elections, penalizing states that fail to enforce voter ID laws.
• The American family: Tax policy should support, not penalize, the decision to have children. We’ll work toward eliminating the federal marriage penalty and ensure that children have access to apprenticeship opportunities in lieu of attending a traditional college or university.
Some will argue this is too ambitious, that we should focus narrowly on tax policy. But that misunderstands the moment. We have a two-year window and a clear mandate. The RSC has already put in the work: We’ve structured these proposals to attract majority support and to satisfy Senate budget rules.
You asked why Republicans would run for Congress if not to do something good for the country. This is why: a second reconciliation bill that reduces healthcare and housing costs for American families. That’s consequential legislation, governing with a purpose, and we intend to deliver.
By RSC Chairman August Pfluger (TX-11)
| 
