A Conservative Voice II

Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan (WI-01) is a true conservative “patriot”.

According to RacinePost, Congressman Ryan is the most conservative of Wisconsin’s elected officials based on 2007 votes.

Rep. Paul Ryan, R-WI, 1st District, is the most Conservative member of the Wisconsin Congressional delegation. And pretty darn Conservative overall, compared to the rest of the House: He voted Conservative 79.7 percent of the time, and is the House’s 94th most Conservative member (out of 435).

Congressman Ryan is a strong fiscal conservative who, as the ranking member of the House Budget committee, proposed an alternative to President Bush’s budget proposal.

Congressman Ryan’s budget alternative would achieve balance by 2012 without raising taxes. It repeals the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) and supports national defense, boosts homeland security and veterans’ funding, and takes steps toward rescuing the Federal Government’s major entitlement programs – especially Medicare and Medicaid – from their currently unsustainable spending path. The budget also promotes accountability by imposing a moratorium on earmarks and requiring a vote in Congress before increasing the debt. 

Although Congressman Ryan’s budget received 157 votes, it was not enough to pass the House. Instead, the House voted largely along party lines in favor of the Democrat majority’s budget that includes record tax increases, out-of-control spending, and ignores the entitlement crisis. 

“Today’s vote on the federal budget was about priorities and choices,” Ryan said. “When prices are rising for gas, food and health care, the last thing taxpayers can afford right now is an enormous tax increase. When families are trying to make ends meet, Congress should not increase government spending while doing nothing to address the entitlement crisis, wasteful government spending and an abusive earmark process. The Majority’s budget, however, does just this by putting the taxpayer last while expecting them to pay more taxes to fund the Majority’s spending increases. This is a shocking lack of accountability and fiscal restraint that will cost residents of Wisconsin nearly $3,000 per person in additional taxes. And the absence of any effort at entitlement reform only makes matters worse for future generations.” 

“As stewards of the federal budget process, we have a responsibility to take action that will prevent our children from being left a legacy of debt and higher taxes. The alternative budget that I brought before the House would address each of these critical issues,” Ryan continued. “My budget, a pro-growth plan, would balance the budget in 2012 without a single tax increase, begin the process of rescuing the major entitlement programs, and halt the earmark process until there is real reform.” 

Congressman Ryan has been a strong supporter of  earmark reform, even having a Boondoggle award that he gives out.

On the issue of immigration Congressman Ryan has this to say:

Most Americans agree that the U.S. immigration system is broken.  Last year, the Senate debated the immigration reform bill, which would have included border security measures and a temporary guest worker program.  While there are varying ideas on how to fix the problem, I do not support allowing amnesty for the estimated 12 million immigrants who entered our country illegally and I had problems with this Senate bill.  After two attempts to move forward with a vote, the Senate failed to garner enough votes to continue debate on this legislation.  As a result, further Senate action on this bill remains unclear.  Immigration reform is both a national security and economic issue that deserves immediate action.  We must prevent terrorists, drug dealers and other criminals from crossing our borders.  As reforms are considered, I will ensure that the rule of law is respected and enforced. 

Along those lines he recently introduced the New Employee Verfication Act (HR 5515).

The environment is also important to Congressman Ryan.

As an avid outdoorsman, a clean environment and strong conservation programs are very important to me.  I believe that environmental protection can go hand in hand with our efforts to expand our economy.  I am working with my colleagues in Congress to develop legislation that is based on sound science and will aid us in our effort to promote a clean environment.  It is one of my top priorities to continue balancing growth with stewardship. 

Finally Congressman Ryan understands how important a FISA fix is -

“It has been nearly one month since the House Democrat leadership allowed the Protect America Act to expire, and American security has suffered because of it. Without this badly needed modernization of FISA, America currently operates at a pre-9/11 intelligence capability. In the days after September 11th, telecom companies stepped forward during our nation’s time of need, providing much needed assistance to help keep us safe. Those noble acts deserve admiration – not lawsuits.”
“It’s absolutely clear that if the Senate bill were brought to the House Floor, it would pass with the same spirit of bipartisanship that it received in the Senate. Unfortunately, House Democrat leadership has chosen to push for a bill that doesn’t meet the needs of our intelligence efforts. I will continue to press for House consideration of the bipartisan Senate bill and to provide our intelligence community the necessary tools to protect America from radical Islamic jihadists.” 

Since the time he was first elected to Congress, Paul Ryan has been a strong conservative. He has “papers” on many in-depth issues that are good reading.

Thank you Congressman Paul Ryan for “Standing Strong” when it comes to Conservative Principles.