Speaker Ryan Does His Best John Boehner Impression
SPEAKER RYAN: "If I pick up where John Boehner left off, then I think we won't be successful." [ABC This Week]
Is this Speaker Ryan's idea of doing things differently?
Same willingness to threaten a government shutdown with dangerous GOP policy riders:
RYAN, asked about having a ‘confrontation' over riders: "This is the Legislative Branch, and the power of the purse rests within the Legislative Branch, and we fully expect we're going to exercise that power." [11/15]
BOEHNER, ahead of 2013 GOP Shutdown: "We're going to continue to do everything we can to repeal the president's failed health care law…This week, the House will pass the CR [continuing resolution] that…defunds Obamacare." [9/13]
Same excuses for blocking immigration reform:
RYAN: "I do not believe we should advance comprehensive immigration legislation with a president who's proven himself untrustworthy on this issue." [11/15]
BOEHNER: "There's widespread doubt about whether this administration can be trusted to enforce our laws and it'll be difficult to move any immigration legislation until that changes." [2/14]
Same attacks on Americans' health security; same promises for a fantasy ACA alternative:
RYAN: "Members of Congress don't like Obamacare. We – most of us in the majority, we all voted against this…people are starving for an alternative to this vision." [11/15]
BOEHNER: "It's one of the big issues for conversation in terms of our agenda for this year, and I think you'll see Republicans come forward with a plan to replace ObamaCare…It's important for us as a party, especially in an election year, to tell the people what you're for. We're for getting rid of ObamaCare and replacing it…I think you'll see ample evidence of that." [1/14]
Same refusal to provide hard-working American families paid sick and family medical leave:
RYAN: "I don't think that – that sticking up for being a person with balance in your life, for wanting to spend your weekends in your home with your family…I don't think that's – I don't think – I don't think that means, therefore, you should sign up for some...unfunded mandate." [11/15]
BOEHNER: "America's business owners are a resilient bunch, but let there be no doubt, [the Family and Medical Leave Act] will be the demise of some. And as that occurs, the light of freedom will grow dimmer." [1993]
Same commitment to attacking women's health:
RYAN: "We have – we're just beginning to start a committee to investigate Planned Parenthood. That's important. So, the special committee on Planned Parenthood, I think, should be in the driver's seat of overseeing this process…By not controlling the process so tightly held here, the speakership, by letting it go forward, I don't know what the outcome is going to be." [11/15]
BOEHNER: "We'll also take up a select committee to investigate" Planned Parenthood. [9/15]
Speaker Ryan could have fooled us.