Justin Duckham-Talk Radio News Service

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) weighed in on the upcoming special election in New York’s 23rd Congressional district, taking issue with Republican Dede Scozzafava’s decision to endorse Democrat Bill Owens as opposed to conservative third-party candidate Doug Hoffman.

“This lady clearly has an agenda that is different from most Republicans. She was out there promoting herself,” Boehner said during a pen and pad session with reporters.

Scozzafava dropped out of the race Saturday after facing fierce competition from Hoffman, whose supporters charged that Scozzafava was too moderate on social issues like abortion and same-sex marriage.

“We’re doing everything we can to help Doug Hoffman in this race and we hope he wins,” Boehner remarked.

The election, which takes place Tuesday, will fill the seat of Rep. John McHugh (R-N.Y.), who was appointed by President Barack Obama as Secretary of the Army.

The alternative health care reform bill being pitched by House Republicans will not prevent insurance providers from barring clients based on pre-existing conditions, House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) said Monday.

Instead, the bill aims to increase high-risk pools on a state-by-state basis.

“We do encourage more states to have high-risk pools,” said Boehner during a pen and pad session with reporters. “It is a place where people with pre-existing conditions will have an opportunity to get affordable health insurance.”

According to Boehner, the Republican plan will likely not provide tax-incentives for those who purchase their own insurance either, citing the presumably high-cost as the prohibitive factor.

In addition to the alternative bill, Boehner and House Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence (R-Ind.) outlined the party’s strategy for combating the Affordable Health Care for America Act, which will include a 12-hour online town hall and a campaign spear-headed by Republican women members.

“Our goal is to make this as difficult as possible to vote for,” Boehner remarked.

House Minority Leader John Boenher (R-Ohio) was asked if he had heard from any supporters of the public option. Boehner jokes that he has received “some” calls from supporters. Two weeks ago, Boehner claimed he had not spoken with anybody outside of Congress who supported the public plan. (0:07)

 

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House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) says that during the 2008 Presidential Campaign, President Barack Obama promised greater transparency in the shaping of the health care reform legislation. Boehner contends that “this bill is being written in the dark of night.” (0:18)

 

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House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) said Thursday that he would support the recent announcement by the White House to provide senior citizens with a check for $250 if the move was payed for with Recovery Act funds.

“The stimulus bill is not working,” said Boehner during a press briefing. “If we’re going provide this benefit to our seniors, why don’t we take it from stimulus funds that clearly aren’t getting the job done?” (0:14)

 

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Travis Martinez, University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service
House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) said Thursday that he would support the recent announcement by the White House to provide senior citizens with a check for $250 if the move was payed for with Recovery Act funds.

“The stimulus bill is not working,” said Boehner during a press briefing. “If we’re going provide this benefit to our seniors, why don’t we take it from stimulus funds that clearly aren’t getting the job done?”

The White House suggested the $250 early Wednesday to counter the lack of a cost of living increase in funds received by Social Security recipients.

Boehner was joined Thursday by Senate Minoirty Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who disparaged the direction the health care debate has taken.

McConnell called upon his Democratic colleagues to slow down the health care reform process, pointing to the length of time it took the Senate to tackle other crucial issues.

“Some would argue that [health care reform] is a bigger issue than No Child Left Behind. We spent seven weeks on that,” McConnell said. “Some would argue that this is a bigger issue than Energy, we spent eight weeks on that.”

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) took issue with President Barack Obama’s decision to travel to Copenhagen to rally support for bringing the Olympics to Chicago.

“While the President is in Copenhagen tomorrow, the American people are going to wake up and find out that hundreds and thousands of more Americans have lost their jobs,” said Boehner.

 

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Justin Duckham-Talk Radio News Service

Republicans have attacked the public option with phrases like “death panels” and “government takeover,” but House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) invoked a new term Thursday: “garlic milkshake.”

“I’m still trying to find the first American to talk to who is in favor of the public option,” Boehner said during a press conference. “This is about as unpopular as a garlic milkshake.”

“I haven’t tried it,” Boehner added.

The Minority Leader criticized a number of other items ranked high on Congressional Democrats’ agenda, including cap-and-trade legislation, which Boehner claimed would be a key contributors to job loss.

Boehner also touched upon the recent proposal from Rep. John Carter (R-Texas) to remove Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) from his chairmanship position with the House Ways and Means Committee.

“It’s improper for Chairman Rangel to remain in his position with all of the influence that he has while the serious allegations remain hanging,” Boehner said. “Given the severity of these charges, Democrat leaders should ask Chairman Rangel to step aside.”

The Ohio Republican took issue with President Barack Obama’s decision to travel to Copenhagen to rally support for bringing the Olympics to Chicago as well.

“While the President is in Copenhagen tomorrow, the American people are going to wake up and find out that hundreds and thousands of more Americans have lost their jobs,” said Boehner.

The Minority Leader reiterated his desire to have General Stanley McChrystal, who commands U.S. forces in Afghanistan, testify before Congress.

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) said that President Obama will claim in his press conference Wednesday evening that health care reform will allow Americans to keep their plan. However, Boehner says that the proposal will actually force Americans into using the government plan. (:31)

 

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During a press conference Thursday, House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) warned that the proposed reforms to the U.S. health care system may lead to further job loss.

“When you raise the cost of employment…you get less employees. There’s no question that their proposal raises the costs of employers to have employees, because it requires all employers to have health care,” Boehner explained (0:15)

 

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