By Travis Martinez, University of New Mexico-Talk Radio News Service

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) accused the Obama administration and Congressional Democrats Friday of mishandling the U.S. economy following the Labor Department’s announcement that unemployment has hit 10.2%,

“Today’s report is yet another reminder that American families and small businesses are still struggling, and the White House response is falling short,” said Boehner.

Boehner pointed to failed promises and exorbitant spending, citing the Democrats’ health care reform bill and stimulus plan as steps that will plunge the U.S. further into debt.

“Since the stimulus plan was signed into law, more than three million private sector jobs have been lost,” said Boehner “Now, Speaker Pelosi is pressing ahead with a $1.3 trillion government takeover of health care, endorsed by President Obama, that will destroy 5.5 million jobs according to methodology developed by his own senior economist.”

Travis Martinez, University of New Mexico/ Talk Radio News Service

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) Thursday accused the Obama administration of using “Chicago-style politics.”

“The White House and Congressional Democrats know their liberal special interest agenda is not very popular,” said Boehner during his weekly press conference. “This Chicago-style politics is shutting the American people out and demonizing opponents [by] launching vicious political attacks demonizing opponents.”

Boehner also invoked promises made during the election, wherein the Obama campaign promised to keep the creation of legislation transparent.

“The administration promised they were going to usher in an era of post-partisanship,” said Boehner.

The Leader also spoke on the recently released state by state unemployment figures from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, which showed that 49 of the 50 states have lost jobs. Boehner decried a claim made by Speaker Pelosi in which she said the stimulus has created 2 million jobs. Boehner reminded the Speaker that California alone had lost 300,000 jobs.

Boehner went on to argue that the Speaker was “out of touch with what’s going on.”

The Minority Leader also answered questions regarding hate crime legislation which is coming through the Senate, describing the measures as unnecessary.

“Sufficient laws are already in place,” said Boehner. “The Civil Rights Act of 1968 provides ample protection.”

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) spoke on the recent release of state-by-state unemployment figures, where 49 of 50 states have reported job losses. Boehner said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) was ignoring reality when she claimed the stimulus has created 2 million jobs, even though California lost 300,000 jobs. (0:57)

 

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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) asks House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to tell her fellow representatives to have the most open and ethical Congress. (0:41)

 

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