WASHINGTON (November 4) – Congressman Spencer Bachus (AL-6) said today that the American people have sent a clear message to Washington that they are tired of too much spending, high taxes, and bigger government. 

            Congressman Bachus addressed the South Shelby Chamber of Commerce in the wake of Tuesday’s election results, which will give Republicans a majority in the House and elevate Bachus to the leadership position of Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee.  Bachus said that the new majority will be expected to deliver on their pledge to cut spending and restore fiscal discipline. 

            “People are concerned about the spending and the wasteful programs in Washington, and I think they want the government to make decisions closer to the people at the city, county, and state level.  The federal government is borrowing 42 cents for every dollar it spends.  It is absorbing so much money from the private sector that it is hard to create jobs,” Bachus said. 

            Bachus said that the new majority in the House should vote to repeal the government takeover of health care and replace it with consensus reforms.  Bachus opposed nationalized health care proposals from the start, arguing that they would lessen quality and increase costs. 

            “We will try to repeal the bill and replace it with common sense reforms.  We need to bring down the total cost of health care and address problems like pre-existing conditions,” Bachus said. 

            Bachus expressed hope that Republicans and Democrats will find ways to cooperate on issues including education reform.  He pointed to the high student drop-out rate in the United States compared to other industrialized nations and the importance of having good schools in our communities.