4 minute read
Ripon Profile - U.S. Rep. Fred Upton
market and people are making different choices.
“We also have supply chain disruptions and inflation like we’ve not seen in really two generations. We have inflation that is the highest we’ve seen since 1982. We have supply chain dislocations unlike we’ve seen since post-World War II. What we saw in the post-World War II era was people purchasing more things on a massive scale than ever before. For the five-year period after World War II, one out of five Americans purchased washing machines. So they had massive shortages of washing machines. Well, did you try to order a new laptop in the last two years? There were similar issues, right?”
According to McHenry, Republicans are in a good position to meet these challenges not only because of their belief in conservative principles that can be readily adapted to the future, but because Democrats are beholden to liberal special interest groups that are increasingly wedded to the past.
“Republicans are wellpositioned to be nimbler on workforce issues,” McHenry said, pointing to one area where he believes his party can offer a better way. “That means offering a conservative answer to how we provide for child care in a more fulsome way than we currently have in society today. How we embrace gig work and recognize the ability to be an independent contractor sets up nicely with Democrats, who are much more beholden to unions and therefore can’t be as nimble on those issues.”
“We have eleven and a half million unfilled jobs and five million people looking for work. We have three million more people who are out of the workforce today than we did pre-COVID. We’ve got to get them back into the workforce. We have to connect them with skills and jobs. And there is a conservative solution on workforce development, education, and training.”
There is also, he said, a conservative solution to strengthening supply chains and getting goods into the hands of American consumers in a more effective way.
“Everybody wants to talk about roads, bridges, and ports,” he observed. “Well, that’s not the totality of supply chains. Ninety-two percent of the world’s advanced semiconductors are manufactured in Taiwan. Why? Well, it’s not because of cheap power. And it’s not because of tax incentives. It’s because of brain power. So, we have to think much more holistically about our trading relationships, about our tax policy, and about our regulatory policy to encourage people to manufacture here in the United States.”
Republicans also have to remember, he added, the most pressing challenge facing Americans this year.
“The biggest issue right now on voters’ minds is inflation,” McHenry declared. “If you’re in power and you’re presiding over
inflation, sorry, it’s tough to be you. When you are the party that has spent more money, and that money was part of your agenda, and then you look around and wonder why inflation is occurring — well, you own it, right?” “The San Francisco Fed rated the American Rescue Plan as being the key spark that ignited inflation. The San Francisco Fed is not some right-wing organization. Janet Yellen headed up the San Francisco Fed before becoming Fed Chair … It is this Administration that ignited this inflationary flame.” To lower inflation, McHenry said it is time for Republicans to return to their roots. “Fiscal discipline “If House Republicans have an agenda that is kind of the oldwe’re fighting for, we’re like Marines at time religion of Republicans,” he war. If we don’t have an agenda, we’re like stated. “Let me remind Marines on leave.” you there was a guy Patrick McHenry named Paul Ryan who was all about fiscal Remarks to The Ripon Society discipline. We have March 30, 2022 to return to those principles. Even though it’s been long forgotten by most members of the House Republican Conference, fiscal discipline is our answer to inflationary policies.” McHenry concluded his remarks by returning to the importance of having a positive agenda, and why he believes it is critical that Republicans develop one to run on this year. “A legislative agenda is helpful to win the election,” he said. “That means there’s a counterpoint to just saying they’re awful and we’re not. To have an agenda is a useful and necessary thing, even in the midst of personality politics. “If House Republicans have an agenda that we’re fighting for, we’re like Marines at war. If we don’t have an agenda, we’re like Marines on leave.” RF
Name: Fred Upton
Occupation: Representative for Michigan’s 6th Congressional District. Individual(s) who inspired me as a child: My folks – now 92 and nearly 98 years old. They were foster parents in addition to raising five kids of their own. Historical figure you would most like to meet: Abe Lincoln. Proudest achievement since coming to Congress: Enactment of 21st Century Cures which expedited the FDA approvals of drugs/devices coupled with $45 billion in additional health research funds.
Top issue(s) facing America that no one is talking about:
The increasing mental health dilemma.
What the GOP must do to reclaim its congressional majority:
Forget allegiance to Trump.
