Fred Upton's House web site: Washington, DC, Dec 7, 2010 -
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The House Republican Steering Committee today selected Congressman Fred Upton (R-MI) to be the next Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Upton, who has served on the Energy and Commerce Committee since 1991, made the following statement upon learning of the Steering Committee vote.
"I look forward to standing shoulder to shoulder with Speaker Boehner, Leader Cantor, Whip McCarthy and the entire Republican Conference as we repeal Obamacare, fight rampant job-killing regulations, cut spending, and help put folks back to work.
"As our new majority pledged to America, 'We dedicate ourselves to the task of reconnecting our highest aspirations to the permanent truths of our founding by keeping faith with the values our nation was founded on, the principles we stand for, and the priorities of our people.'
"We face many challenges, but priority number one is to repeal the job-killing Obamacare law. While the various subcommittee posts will be filled in the days ahead, the fight to repeal Obamacare starts now and I am pleased to appoint Rep. Joe Pitts as chairman of the Health Subcommittee. Together, we will protect the sanctity of life, ensuring early next Congress that no federal funds are used for abortion.
"Energy and Commerce will also immediately adopt new rules to cut spending and restore fiscal responsibility.
"If we have learned anything these last two years of soaring unemployment and out-of-control spending, it is that government is not the answer to all our ills - it is, in fact, the root cause of many of them.
"The Obama administration is on notice - they will not be allowed to regulate what they have been unable to legislate.
"In his January 1989 farewell address to the nation, my old boss President Ronald Reagan warned: 'As government expands, liberty contracts.' The American people spoke loud and clear on November 2nd, and we have a charge to stand up for liberty and deliver the real change that the American public expects and demands. We will not let them down."
A copy of Upton's memo to his Republican colleagues is attached and can also be found HERE. [End]