Should Republicans take full control of Congress after the midterms in a few weeks, Sen. GOP Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas said in a new op-ed that they should focus on the key priorities of improving the economy, protecting civil liberties and defending national security.
Priority No. 1 is jump-starting the economy by passing the Keystone XL Pipeline, opening up land for energy exploration and limiting the EPA from implementing new rules he said will destroy coal jobs and drive up energy bills.
Also on the list: Pursue “all means possible” to repeal Obamacare, which he said a Republican president will do in 2017, secure the border and rein in “judicial activism.”
“The Senate should stop confirming activist judges who will impose their own policy preferences, such as striking down state marriage laws,” he wrote in USA Today. “We must uphold the Constitution.”
He also called for a halt to the “culture of corruption,” such as banning congressmen from becoming lobbyists; setting term limits; imposing tax reform and abolishing the IRS; auditing the Federal Reserve; passing a balanced budget amendment; repealing Common Core education standards; and dealing “seriously” with the “twin threats” of the Islamic State terrorist group and a nuclear Iran.
“We should lead boldly,” he wrote. “No Washington games. We will either pass a serious agenda to address the real priorities of the American people — protecting our constitutional rights and pulling us back from the fiscal and economic cliff — or the Democrats will filibuster or veto these bills. And, if they do so, we will have transparency and accountability for the very next election.”
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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