House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) talked about jobs and the economy today in a speech to members of the Economic Club of Washington.
Boehner said he thinks the biggest obstacles to job creation are excessive regulation, a tax code that needs to be changed, and "spending binges" by the federal government.
He talked about the work of the joint deficit reduction committee - saying that he believes they should concentrate on making the tax code"simpler and fairer," but that tax increases should be left "off the table." He also spoke about the House Republican agenda for the fall, which includes votes on eliminating what the GOP calls "harmful regulations."
After last week's joint session, Boehner said the ideas in President Obama’s American Jobs Act “merit consideration.” He also said he hopes the President “gives serious consideration to our ideas as well.” In a letter to the President, Boehner and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor asked for legislative text of his plan so the cost and impact could be determined by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.
The President's proposed legislation would cost $447 billion. It is a combination of tax cuts for small businesses and individuals, funding to employ teachers and public safety professionals, and funding for infrastructure construction.