Republican Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) Speaks After Weekly GOP Conference Meeting

Cantor on Baucus Bill, Jobs
"... 81 percent of Americans feel that the Obama Administration needs to do more about the unemployment affecting everyone in this country. That 81 percent of Americans feel it is about jobs."– House Republican Whip Eric Cantor
Rep. Eric Cantor: “Good morning. Well the Baucus bill has passed. We’ve got groups this morning, Members on both sides of the aisle in the other body, groups such as the unions running full-page ads against the bill, warning Americans that this bill will add to their health care costs. The 84 percent or so of Americans that have insurance will experience a significant increase in cost in their health care if this Baucus bill were to pass and be signed into law. Employers who provide so many Americans with coverage will also be struck with increased costs and penalties and taxes under the Baucus bill. This, ultimately, will mean less money to the bottom line for our small businesses which means lower wages for Americans.

"While we in Washington continue to talk about health care, the rest of this country is focused on the economy. There was a poll out last week by a gentleman named Garin that indicated 81 percent of Americans – that’s eight in ten – 81 percent of Americans feel that the Obama Administration needs to do more about the unemployment affecting everyone in this country. That 81 percent of Americans feel it is about jobs.

"That’s why this week I will be reconvening the Economic Recovery Working Group, that the Leader has appointed, and we will be looking at, number one, responding to the White House indirect communications to us that they intend to embark upon another stimulus effort. Folks in the Administration have floated the idea of a job creation tax credit. We don’t think that’s the right way to go about putting small businesses back into the game of investing and creating jobs. We will come up with alternatives, as we have since January, in terms of how we best believe we can put Americans back to work. We look forward to having a full and open discussion with the White House and our colleagues across the aisle so that we can get America back to work.”