Vice President Mike Pence told Republicans gathered in Philadelphia Thursday that President Trump and Capitol Hill lawmakers are in the “promise-keeping business” and that he and the president have a “profound respect” for Congress’s constitutional role in government.
“Make no mistake about it: this president and this Congress are in the promise-keeping business,” Mr. Pence said. “We’re going to show the American people that the Republican party has the principles and the policies that will make America great again.”
He credited Mr. Trump for spurring on an unprecedented movement in last year’s presidential campaign.
“My friends, this is our moment,” Mr. Pence said. “And we got this far because President Donald Trump marshaled a movement unlike any movement in American history.”
He said he and Mr. Trump have a “profound respect” for Congress’s constitutional role.
“So I can say unequivocally that President Trump and I will forge a strong working relationship with the Congress and with all of you to enact the laws that will serve the interests of the American people as contemplated by the Constitution of the United States,” he said to applause.
Many Republicans have criticized former President Obama for going around Congress with executive actions on issues such as immigration.
Mr. Pence said he hoped the Senate would move quickly on Mr. Trump’s U.S. Supreme Court nominee. The president has said he’ll be making that pick next Thursday.
“I can already tip you off. President Trump is going to keep his promise to the American people, and he’s going to nominate a strict constructionist to the Supreme Court in the tradition of the late and great Justice Antonin Scalia,” Mr. Pence said to applause.
“This person will possess a top-notch legal mind and unwavering commitment to the Constitution,” he said. “We need this person on the bench as soon as possible given the vacancy that’s existed on the court.”
Mr. Pence also joked about the comparatively smaller crowds he attracted on the campaign trail compared to Mr. Trump, who spoke at the GOP retreat earlier in the day.
The vice president said he’d attend rallies with Mr. Trump where “tens of thousands” people would come out.
“Or I’d speak at rallies of my own, where literally hundreds of Americans would come out to hear me campaign on his behalf,” he said to laughter.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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