Just wanted to share a few observations from orientation this week . . .
The incoming freshman class is a diverse group of women and men who are committed to the cause of conservatism and committed to changing Washington. I am an admitted skeptic. And I went to orientation full of skepticism. I can imagine a better America and a better congress but history teaches me to be suspicious and skeptical. But there is a resiliency and a steadfastness that is real among the incoming freshmen. It is a historic class in terms of size and diversity, and I also believe it will wind up being a historic class in terms of charting a new, different and better path for our country.
There are farmers, doctors, a former NFL football player, a pizza parlor owner, state and federal prosecutors, small business owners, an ex FBI agent, two former sheriffs and a whole host of folks elected to change the culture and direction of congress. There is also a former world champion lumberjack named Sean Duffy, from Wisconsin, who introduced the ban on earmarks during the Republican Conference. Sean is married and father to 6 children including his youngest Marie Victoria who is 7 months old (that precious baby girl is absolutely gorgeous and accompanied mom and dad to orientation this week). Sean is a former prosecutor, the youngest of 11 children, and he gave up his job as a prosecutor to run for congress against the incumbent Democratic Chairman of the Appropriations Committee. Sean ran against tough odds because he wants a better country for his children, and he was willing to sacrifice his job and face the uncertainty of providing for his family to reclaim this country.
The freshmen class was unanimous and enthusiastic in voting to end the earmark practice and the reasons are multifold. I was also encouraged to learn that Speaker-Designate John Boehner has never asked for an earmark ever in his career in congress. Majority Leader Eric Cantor is equally opposed to the practice.
I was and remain very impressed with the three incoming freshmen from South Carolina. Tim Scott, Jeff Duncan and Mick Mulvaney are going to be fantastic leaders in the cause of constitutional conservatism They are good people who feel privileged to represent this great state and are serious about the business of changing the current path we are on.
Requests for committee assignments will be next on the agenda for all congressmen. Since the Republicans reclaimed the majority there will be more slots on committees for Republicans and there will be new Chairmen. Paul Ryan is expected to be the new Chairman of Budget. He is brilliant on economic issues and is the author of a “Roadmap to an American Recovery” which takes on entitlement reform and tax reform. Lamar Smith is slated to become Chairman of Judiciary and he is committed to the Constitution as the supreme law of the land. Darrell Issa is slated to become Chairman of Oversight and Reform, and he is tough and fair and the American people can expect accountability and real oversight from his committee.
I am hopeful about the future but also wary that we have been here before – in 1994 – and the promise of a new congress must be fulfilled with action and accountability and a commitment to serve in an honorable way.
I will close with this observation: the Capitol is beautiful and so full of history. We have much to be proud of in this country. But despite the history and the beauty, the sweetest words I heard all week were these: “Ladies and gentlemen we are beginning our initial descent into the Greenville-Spartanburg airport.” I would rather be home than anywhere else in the world.
-Trey
