Sen. Cornyn Gives GOP Weekly Address

Sen. John Cornyn gave the Republicans Weekly Address. He discussed Afghanistan and health care reform.

His remarks in support of President Barack Obama as our Commander-in-Chief -- assuring Obama of Republican support to win the war on terror in Afghanistan -- contrast with the limp support that Obama receives from his own party (not to mention the lack of support Democrats gave the Bush administration).

“The terrorists who attacked us on 9-11 enjoyed safe haven in Afghanistan – and that’s why winning in Afghanistan remains so important.

“The Afghan people, like the American people, are tired of war. But they do not want their country returned to the control of religious extremists. And neither do we.

“President Obama has renewed America’s commitment to Afghanistan. He has the right civilian and military leadership in place. These leaders are developing a campaign plan based on the successful ‘surge’ strategy that worked in Iraq.

“Our troops and their commanders in Iraq and Afghanistan deserve broad bipartisan support. And they will have it.

“Republicans will support the deployment of additional troops – if requested by our commanders – as well as the resources our troops need to be successful as they attempt to deny safe haven to al Qaeda. Republicans will not waver in our support for our forces in the field – or President Obama – as he fulfills his responsibilities as Commander-in-Chief to protect the American people.

“On Afghanistan, President Obama has shown the kind of leadership he promised during the campaign – he’s built consensus and earned bipartisan support.

On the issue of health care, Cornyn expressed disappointment over the administration's unwillingness to listen to Republican ideas or the concerns of the American people:

“At town halls and public events across the nation, the American people are asking the right questions about health care reform. They’re asking:

- How can Washington lower health care costs by spending trillions of dollars more over the next ten years?

- How can Washington cut $500 billion from Medicare without reducing benefits for seniors?

- And how can a new government plan keep insurers honest when our existing entitlement programs are riddled with waste, fraud, and abuse?

“The President told us Wednesday night that ‘there remain some significant details to be ironed out.’ He wasn’t kidding.

“The most significant detail is the cost of his plan – and its impact on our long-term budget deficit. When you start counting in 2013, the first full year of implementation, the cost of the House bill comes to about $2.4 trillion over 10 years, according to the Senate Budget Committee.

“So instead of a top-down plan that will bust the budget, President Obama should work with Republicans on a bottom-up solution that the American people can support.

“Republicans want to save Medicare and Medicaid from bankruptcy by offering more choices to beneficiaries and by making providers compete for their business. Republicans want to expand access and lower the costs of private insurance by expanding competition at the state level. Republicans also want common-sense medical liability reform that eliminates junk lawsuits against doctors and hospitals. We need to put an end to jackpot justice and frivolous lawsuits, as well as the practice of defensive medicine.