E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor sought to lead Republicans past their dollars-and-cents fights of the last two years, arguing Tuesday for a more expansive agenda that resonates with a broader scope of Americans.
As the GOP works to redefine itself in the wake of an electoral drubbing last fall, Cantor outlined a series of policies he said Republicans would pursue over the next two years. The agenda includes staples of Republican politics — tax and entitlement reforms, for instance — but also education, immigration and research and development, particularly in the sciences.
Recommended: Obama calls for at least short-term fix with cuts, revenue to avoid sequester
"In Washington, over the past few weeks and months, our attention has been on cliffs, debt ceilings and budgets, on deadlines and negotiations," Cantor said at a speech at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think-tank in Washington. "But today, I'd like to focus our attention on what lies beyond these fiscal debates. Over the next two years, the House majority will pursue an agenda based on a shared vision of creating the conditions for health, happiness and prosperity for more Americans and their families."
Mandel Ngan / AFP - Getty Images
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., speaks to the media following a Republican Conference meeting on Feb. 5, 2013 at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
The speech fits squarely within the rubric of reinvention sought by the GOP at the advent of President Barack Obama's second term. The Virginia congressman offered generally familiar proposals, couched in the rhetoric of middle class advancement. This "softer" approach to policy-making squares with an emerging Republican consensus that the party does not necessarily need to change its policies so much as frame them in a way that is more relevant to middle class, minority, and women voters.
To that extent, Cantor was flanked at moments during his speech by students from schools in inner-city Washington, a master's student from China looking to stay in America, a nurse from Baltimore looking for a more flexible work schedule, and a former intern of Cantor's who benefited from improved medical technology.
Cantor sought with his speech to put a newer, more accessible face on the Republican Party; whether he'll succeed is a question that might not be answered for two or four more years.
Republican Eric Cantor calls for legal residence and citizenship for children brought here illegally by their parents and a guest-worker program, at the American Enterprise Institute, a Washington conservative think tank.
First Read: Cantor's shift on immigration
One policy shift Cantor did announce was in regard to immigration. The No. 2 House Republican embraced the thrust of the so-called DREAM Act, a piece of immigration legislation looking to undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children a pathway to citizenship.
"It is time to provide an opportunity for legal residence and citizenship for those who were brought to this country as children and who know no other home," he said.
Other points of emphasis were familiar to any observers of the contemporary GOP.
On education, Cantor called for increased access to vouchers, more efficient spending per student, cost transparency in college tuition and fuller disclosure to students about the career prospects associated with different degrees.
On immigration, Cantor endorsed easier access to green cards to immigrants with high-level degrees, a reformed guest worker program and stronger employee verification tools.
And in an appeal to middle class workers, Cantor endorsed giving all employees greater flex-time at work and simpler simpler ways to file taxes.
Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va., is set to make a speech on Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at the American Enterprise Institute on "Making Life Work."
On top of this, Cantor appealed to Republican staples: comprehensive tax reform and reforms to Medicare (including streamlined provider networks, and increased leeway for states to administer their own programs).
The recurring theme, though, for Cantor involved an appeal directed intently toward middle class voters.
"Government policy should aim to strike a balance between what is needed to advance the next generation, what we can afford, what is a federal responsibility and what is necessary to ensure our children are safe, healthy and able to reach their dreams," Cantor said.
Leave a Comment:
A wolf in sheeps clothing I tell you! Beware of any republican speaking this way until at least actions coincide with words, but I'll wait even longer as I really don't trust this bunch.
Gee Mr Cantor...just a few months ago you were backing Romney who wanted to scoop up all the immigrants and ship them back to wherever they came from, now you are saying you are going to do everything to keep them all here and keep the white house from interfering... Obama had to use his executive power to get at least a short term law because of all the Republicans were always blocking anything Obama tried to do. Face it Mr Cantor...it is all political motivated because you guys lost the election!
Does this mean no more abortion bills coming out of the House? Even though they passed one last week?
Jim,
Probably not, as I can't see them giving up all thier talking points.
Too little, too late.
Why should we believe a guy that voted for ALL the Bush debt???( JOb creation reform) Who supported Ryan's effort to privatize Medicare and SS. ( Entitlement reform) Who wants MORE tax cuts for the rich (tax reform)!!
Dont fall for it. It's just different words for the same thing! Do NOT EVER believe ANYTHING a Republicans says!!! Watch what they DO!! Bush talked pretty and look at what HE DID!!! Reagan talked pretty and he tripled the debt and committed treason in selling guns to Iran. McConnell voted for almost ALL of the raygun/bush/bush debt And this debt crisis was deliberately planned so the GOP could "reform" (privatize) entitlements! WHY? To funnel the money into the hands of the same Wall St. thieves who crashed the economy. THAT'S why they want " entitlement reform"!! That is the ONLY way they have ANY chance of getting their debt off the government books! ( Sounds like " Iraq's oil will pay for the war")
We cant AFFORD the GOP any longer!!! They need to GO--- all of them who support this bovine excrement. And for as much time as it takes to what the disasters they caused! NEVER FORGET!
Give Cantor credit for realizing that the teabagger way is a dead end. He is jumping off their bandwagon before it goes over the cliff. He's a smart politician.
Sharky,
I'll give Cantor credit for nothing, see post #27.
it's just Cantors new smoke and mirror trick he just learned after the elections.
Cantor must have learned this new trick at the Republican Retreat seminar: How to relate to human beings.
If you think Cantor is serious about any of this, I have a bridge in Brooklyn I'd like to sell you.
But with the new & improved (sarcasm included) budget being rolled out that will cut spending on things like healthcare and education, I wonder how Cantor expects this all to work?
obama's debt is 4 times Bushs. And what "drubbing"? obama won; Two more Senators. So What. More governors and State legislatures went Republican. 28 States refused oabamacare; the debtof $1.3 trillion WILL bankrupt the government. Then what is POS obama gonna do? It will happen. The Feds will close the government because the Chinese, Japanese, British etc. will not advance any more money. What's next progressives?
You do know that part Pres. Obama's debt was putting Pres. Bush's hidden war costs on the books. And the GOP governor of Ohio said yesterday that he was for Obamacare, so the tide is turning on that too. I loathed Pres. Bush, worse president in modern history, but never called him a POS. Your ranting is worthless is you cannot be civil.
When you call the President a POS not too many people want to listen to what you have to say. Unless you intentionally left "The United" part out of his title due the fact our country is less United than ever.
Investing in education, immigration and research and development, particularly in the sciences?
Welcome to the Democratic party.
I agree! Lets stop taking taxes from GOP members. I mean just because they have the jobs that pay for the welfare and healthcare programs, why should they have a part of making law and a voice in spending. Just because the most liberal states have the worst crime and welfare rates and the most endangered economies doesn't mean they are not the most qualified to be an example of how to run a country. Dang GOP people thinking this is a democracy. Listen to the king and march.
Sane.....
The southern states that are mostly Republican strongholds receive more in federal largess than they pay in federal taxes and most of that is in welfare.
Definition of a redneck... a man whose house is on wheels but his pickup truck isn't and the truck has a "Vote Republican" bumper sticker.
Louie Bee: Wow, if someone had said: "Definition of a hoodrat... a man/woman whose house is paid for by the governement, fed by the govenrment but wears the tops of the line clothing and has a brand new car with some 26" rims and the new car has a "Vote Obama/Biden" bumper sticker."
They would have been labeled racist, but Iguess it is ok since we are talking about whitey right?
BTW He is not the top. He is #2. Just because you libs do not like #1 it does not change anything.
TO: BobW-3215303 who wrote:
We know Cantor is number two, and we liked crybaby Boehner better than Cantor.
No sooner than the GOP found out that Boehner was able to make deals with President Obama, the GOP immediately stopped Boehner from making any deals.
This is the same thing they did to Lindsey Graham. No sooner than Lindsey Graham was seen at the White House a few times, the GOP threatened Graham with everything including, but not limited to, refusing to support Graham for re-election.
Have you ever notice that when Conservatives get on these pages all the progressives disappear or resort to name calling. Stymie them with truth, reason and logic. Works every time.
Paul
Less than two months into his second term the king has overstepped his authority so far even most of the libs are starting to realize it and are starting to step back a bit and let things cool down. Thing is....obama's arrogance so far exceeds his intellect he does not see it when those around him do. That just might be his downfall. Finally REAL hope.
Bob, where have you been? In the barnyard? All that bovine excrement you spew shows you must be covered in it.
We Know Cantor is #2 and what has #1 in the House been doing? Certainly not much leading. He seems afraid of the tea partiers.
I notice how ubercons call PRESIDENT Obama a king. Where were they when George W. Bush said it would be desireable to be a dictator as it would be easier to have his way?
I see plenty of libs on this site and when the righties come on it they seem lacking logic and just spew lies, attacks, and hatred. Sure there is some of that from the left too but when it comes to lies, attacks and hatred no one can hold a candle to the rwnj Facist wannabes on this site or anywhere else.
TO: BobW-3215303 who wrote:
The American People don't "hope" for the downfall of our Democratically Elected President, and I'd love to hear your explanation, if you have one, about how, in your mind, the most powerful man in the world oversteps his authority.
It sounds to me like Republicans have some kind of "complex" or some kind of wrongheaded idea that only they are supposed to be in charge no matter how lousy they are for this country, and no matter how many times their "policies" have failed over and over again.
Have you been checked for mad cow lately?
I give credit to the GOP for NOTHING except for nearly destroying this country financially!! As for the debt under Obama, you right wingers have been screaming for years that Obama/Dems havnt passed any budgets. The only thing passed was "continuing resolutions!! Well, if it wasnt Obama's budget, how can it be Obama's DEBT?? Those resolution continued the spending (and deficits) from the previous year---and the previous year-- right back to Bush's last budget!
They did it. NOW the have to face the music!!
PS- it wasnt the teabaggers!! It was the REPUBLICANS!!
"....with an emerging Republican consensus that the party does not necessarily need to change its policies so much as frame them in a way that is more relevant to middle class, minority, and women voters."
They might need to hire an unbiased consultant or two. They simply don't get it.
Anyone who is a woman is voting against her self if she votes GOP
In other words get out the lipstick and grab the pig this is going to reqire some finesse.
After the drubbing they got in November they may have gotten the message that what they have stood for is not what America wants. Puting lipstick on that pig isn't going to help. People will still know it is a pig.
Since actions speak louder than words there needs to be more than just action from the GOP leadership and members before I believe it is more than a cosmetic approach on a sow.
Adler - Don't you left wing nuts ever get tired of lying about a "drubbing" in November? Since when is 51.1% of the popular vote by Obama considered a "drubbing"? Obama won 2 less states, got 3.6 million less votes and 33 less Electoral College votes than in 2008. The Democrats gained 2 Senate seats (because of Republican fielding stupid candidates) and got 6 or 7 House seats.
Republicans hold more Governorships and more state legislative bodies than Democrats. There was no mandate for Obama or the Democrats.
sfcret Obama 51.02 Romney 47.18 margin+ 3.84 That's not a close election!
Obama 332 Romney 206 margin +126 That's not a close election!
That's a drubbing!
Tom - That's a drubbing only in the minds of liberals. I would think a "drubbing" would be if the Democrats would have regained the House. Wait until 2014, you are aware that the Party in the White House usually looses seats in both Chambers of Congress. The losses in 2010 by Congressional Democrats was a real "drubbing".
The party is power is not going to lose seats. In fact, Im thinking they'll take control of the House, and quite possibly have 60 Senate seats. I dont think you appreciate just how much trouble this right wing extremist Republican Party is in! Finally, the people have found to truth about the decades of lies and disasters inflicted by the party on the United States. Boehner is right in worrying that the GOP might face "annihilation"!! That's why Cantor, the GOP's loud mouth bad boy, is now trying to speak in a MUCH more mellow voice. HE knows the stakes too! But Americans dont WANT what the GOP has to offer, no matter how many nice new words used to describe it now! But, it's still putting lipstick on a pig!
Tom - You better do more research on mid-term elections. Which party was in power in 2010, the Democrats had the President and both Chambers of Congress, who got their butts kicked, lost the House and lost seats in the Senate. In fact it was the biggest lost in the History of the House.
Which party was in power in 2006, it was the Republicans and who won the Democrats took both the Senate and House.
Which party was in power in 1994 mid-term election, it was the Democrats and they lost both the Senate and the House.
The President's party rarely gain any seats in the mid-term elections, in fact they loose more than they gain.
For three decades now, the Republican Party has employed a tactic that they call "starve the beast". The idea is that if you deprive the federal government of revenue, that eventually the debt will get so big that congress will be forced to cut spending. The spending cuts have never happened (in fact when the Republicans controlled both Houses and the White House under Bush they increased spending over 50%!). The debt certainly did happen. This failed policy of intentionally running up the debt is what caused this. The result will be that there will be no choice but to raise taxes, especially on the wealthy. The tactic has completely backfired on the GOP.
That is quite clear. Even former (thank God) Vice President Dick Cheney said it, "deficits don't matter".
So Eric "The Weasel" Cantor is attempting to follow Bobby Jindel's advice and "stop being stupid", but Cantor has no clue how to do that.
Sorry, Eric, but getting your fellow Republicans off their addiction to donor money is like trying to get pigs over their fondness for acorns or truffles.
There are just too many takers in our country now. The message of fiscal responsibility is like nails on a chalkboard to all of the government dependees. Our grandchildren be damned. Gimme more of that gov't cheese and gimme it now!
hey godbless: If the last 3 GOP presidents had not signed TWENTY deficit riddled budgets AND saddled Obama with a $1.3T deficit, we wouldnt HAVE a debt crisis! The takers were the rich and corporate elite! The givers were the Republicans in power. THEY gave Joe America the finger!! NOW, they're going to pay the price because this country is ANGRY!!
Yes--- lipstick on a pig!
There is nothing about unemployment and jobs! Where are the jobs? Tree years ago they campaigned on jobs. We have yet to see a single jobs initiative from Republicans.
Why do they want more immigrants when they take American jobs?
No wonder they are the stupid Party
Sorry Grand Old Party, Cantor and the Crusty Old Ugly Man gang, too little too late for your BS!! The American People are on to you!
We don't need no stinking speaches, Cantor... We know better than to believe anything the GOP says... Its easy, all we gotta do is watch what you "DO"...and the truth becomes clear....obstructionist low lifes, riding on the backs of labor and the poor...steal from the poor give to and protect the rich...
Well at least Eric Cantor is admitting that they have been wrong for the last twelve years but at the same time he is also insulting the people by just assuming he can further con and manipulate them with just a change in his rhetoric.
Cantor giving that speech is like all the CEO,s and wall st execs giving a speech on compassion and caring for the American people! Priceless!
You can't dress up an elephant to look like a Sports Illustrated swiming suit model and you can't dress up the GOP to look like they are for working people, the middle class, women, the less fortunate, minorities and the safety of the school children of America. When you've wallowed in the slim for too long it just dosen't wash off and the smell never does quit go away. All the spin in the world can't get it out.