Boehner: White House Threw House Democrats Under The Bus

House Democrats are still feeling the side effects of Secretary Robert Gibbs’ concession that the left remains vulnerable to a political coup come November’s midterm elections.

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) told reporters Thursday he understands why House Democrats are frustrated and said “they see the White House throwing them under the bus.”

The Ohio Republican blasted Democrats saying “they’re in such disarray, it’s time for them to grow up,” and with financial reform on the cusp of being President Obama’s second major legislative accomplishment, Boehner lashed back and said that the bill was “ill conceived.”

Boehner targeted the White House and alluded to the notion that the White House was “desperate” by bringing Warren Buffet and President Clinton to assist in business communications.

“The president has no credibility with people who create [jobs],” Boehner said. “Every time [he] has had a chance to help small businesses, he has turned his back and doubled down on Washington stimulus spending.”



 



Boehner Says Barton Will Remain Ranking Member

Robert Hune-Kalter-Talk Radio News Service

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) told reporters Wednesday that Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) will continue to serve as Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee despite the Texas Republican’s widely criticized apology to BP.

“Joe Barton recanted his apology to BP last week, and apologized to colleagues today,” Boehner said during a press briefing at the Republican National Committee headquarters.

The White House had suggested that House Republicans reconsider Barton’s status, pointing out that it may be unwise to let somebody with the Congressman’s views to have such a prominent voice in shaping energy policy.

Boehener was joined at the briefing by House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) and Republican Conference Chair Mike Pence (R-Ind.). The Republican leaders blasted the Democrats’ for declining to submit a budget.

Barton’s apology came during BP CEO Tony Hayward’s Capitol Hill appearance last week. Barton described the White House’s attempt to have BP set up a $20 billion escrow account to handle claims arising from the Gulf Coast spill as a “shakedown.”

“I do not want to live in a country where any time a citizen or a corporation does something that is legitimately wrong is subject to some sort of political pressure that … amounts to a shakedown. So I apologize,” Barton said.

Boehner Says The Government Should Share Responsibility For The BP Spill

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) suggested Thursday morning that the federal government should share responsibility for the oil spill off the Gulf Coast.

"I think the people responsible in the oil spill, BP and the federal government, should take full responsibility for [the oil spill]," Boehner said during a press briefing.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's (D-Calif.) office claimed that Boehner's remarks signaled his support for using public funds BP to help pay for the damage caused by the environmental disaster.

"House Republican Leader John Boehner ... declared that American taxpayers should bailout the Big Oil giant," a press release from the Speaker's office stated. "House Democrats are siding with American taxpayers. BP should be held accountable."

Boehner's staff told several media outlets that the comments were only meant to reflect that the government should be responsible for oversight, and not the costs accrued by the clean up.

During the briefing Boehner also criticized the amount hearings being held on Capitol Hill to investigate the spill.

"Well, this is congress at it's best," Boehner joked, eliciting laughter from the journalists in attendance. "Why the hell don't we get the oil stopped ... figure out what the hell went wrong, and then have the hearing and get the damn law fixed?"

Boehner: Politicians Beware

By Benny Martinez - University of New Mexico / Talk Radio News Service

In light of Republican Senator Bob Bennett's failure to receive his party's support in Utah last Saturday and 14 term Democratic Representative Alan Mollohan's primaty loss in West Virginia Tuesday night, House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) told reporters Wednesday that there is "a political rebellion going on in America.”

“Politicians beware,” Boehner said. “The American people are awake [and] they’re more involved in their government than anytime in our history.”

Boehner said that the American public is particularly upset and irritated by the “arrogance” of Washington and added that there will be similar political coups on the horizon unless, Boehner contends, Washington takes what Americans want into consideration.

“I think it’s critically important to listen to the American people and work with them to make the changes in the government here that the American people want,” Boehner said. "The sooner that happens the better."

Boehner Criticizes Administration For Lack Of Job Creation

By Justine Rellosa- Talk Radio News Service

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) once again criticized the Obama administration Wednesday for failing to improve the employment situation in the U.S. through the use of the Recovery Act.

“It’s time to get serious about job creation in America because all we’ve gotten out of the [Recovery Act] is a big pile of debt on the backs of our kids and grandkids,” Boehner told reporters.

Boehner added that the President promised that the unemployment rate would not raise past 8 percent if the legislation aimed at stimulating the U.S. economy was passed. Boehner pointed out that unemployment is currently hovering around 10 percent a year after the Recovery Act was signed.

"[The President] said that the stimulus bill would create jobs immediately, and yet over 3 million Americans have lost their jobs since this bill has been signed into law,” Boehner noted.

Boehner also praised police officials for their efforts in capturing Faisal Shahzad, the suspect apprehended for Saturday's New York Times Square scare.

“I want to thank our law enforcement officials in New York and around the country ... [the attempted attack] is another reminder of the vigilance that the American people need to have and the fact that this threat is a continuing threat to our nation,” said Boehner.