Eric Cantor On Jobs: 'We've Been About Cuts,' Time To Change Approach

WASHINGTON -- Republicans will turn their focus to jobs after they pass a stopgap bill to continue funding the government, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) said on Wednesday, admitting that the focus so far this year has been on cuts rather than job growth.

"We’ve been about cut and grow. The fact is for the last eight months plus, we’ve been about cuts," he said. "That’s why it is imperative that all of us join together [and] work with the president to see how we can grow this economy."

House Republicans have pushed for major discretionary spending cuts and entitlement changes under the House-passed budget from Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.). Democrats have hit them hard for failing to focus on jobs, although Republicans say the spending cuts are intertwined with their plan for economic growth.

Still, Cantor said he and his fellow GOP members will return from the August recess taking a more cooperative tone with the president, setting the scene for his party's comments after President Obama's Thursday evening jobs speech. It was a stark change from the pre-recess rancor, when both parties sniped at each other over who would be too blame for default if a debt ceiling increase did not take place.

"I don’t question the president’s motives or his commitment to the country now," he said. "And I think that’s the way forward as we really put our minds to work. ... I believe that all of us, both sides are trying to do what’s best for the country."

One of the first steps will be to take up a continuing resolution to fund the government, which Congress will address the week of Sept. 19, Cantor said.

House Republicans hoped to move through the normal budget process, but delays in passing the 12 appropriations bills makes the task virtually impossible to complete by the Sept. 30 deadline. Instead, Cantor confirmed there will be a continuing resolution to fund the government after the current continuing resolution runs out on Sept. 30.

The bill will likely take government funding through "late fall," Cantor said, though he declined to comment on specific dates.

The bill should cut discretionary spending by about $7 billion, according to a deal set in place during the debt ceiling increase in August. But some House Republicans would like to see further cuts as part of the upcoming bill.

In an Aug. 17 memo, Cantor hinted at the upcoming tension over where -- and how much -- to cut spending as part of the upcoming continuing resolution.

"While all of us would like to have seen a lower discretionary appropriations ceiling for the upcoming fiscal year, the debt limit agreement did set a level of spending that is a real cut from the current year level," he reminded members. "I believe it is in our interest to enact into law full-year appropriations bills at this new lower level."

Comments

[cupcake77]

12:13 PM on 10/15/2011

Kinda late there wouldn't you say Eric?

[Richardini]

08:34 AM on 09/22/2011

Eric Cantor now admits that the Republicans have not concentrated on jobs but rather on cuts. News from nowhere! Their slashing everything in sight that might help Obama and only retaining what might be good for the Koch brothers and their rapacious buddies, the modern day robber barons, is painfully apparent. Every so often an American comes on the public scene whose behavior bears the mark of an executioner. It pains me to use this last word in view of last night in Georgia and the applause at the mention of Perry's infamous record. Cantor truly represents a McCarthy type with a destructive bent and a mile high ego. The Republicans follow him at their peril. The Tea Party, his henchmen, will be our undoing.

[Pastori Balele]

09:52 AM on 09/11/2011

As a businessman, I know I cannot make money without spending money. The President wants to spend money for infra-structures which are really in bad shape. So those goods and services are needed badly. Come to Wisconsin and see how bad highways, schools, bridges, streets etc are. This money the President is considering to spend is going to private contractors who will hire people. Hired people will spend money to improve their homes, eat out etc. (the multiplier effect). This creates jobs and people will pay tax. However, some Republicans cannot understand this simple economics. They think the money will be spend for salaries of government workers. That's why we need educated politicians who understand economics. Let's vote out all Republicans in 2012.

[Pastori Balele]

09:33 AM on 09/11/2011

At last one Republican is waking up and sees GOP selfishness is not working. GOP has been fighting for CEOs to have less tax, but CEOs are not creating jobs. They are sitting on their money. American people are now preparing to vote out all republicans November 2012. Maybe being on unemployment line will teach them how to behave. Paul Ryan should start looking for another job now with his Ryan-Care.

[ennis438]

01:15 PM on 09/09/2011

Mr. Cantor and his ilk could do many things to help job growth, but he and his criminal buddies are bought and paid for by the anti-American people corporate thugs that this will never happen. However, if he is serious , Cantor could start approving sanctions against any American corporation who abandons Indiana for Indonesia. How about slapping a prohibition that any traitor company who does this not be allowed to sell one toothpick in the USA ? How about Mr. Cantor working to stop corporate welfare? Don't bet on this. When your election is bought and paid for by these exact same traitors, do not expect any help from the enemy on any worthwhile proposal to help the American middle class.

[Carl Caroli]

07:17 AM on 09/09/2011

Just another lying sack of GOP.

[vietveter]

07:41 AM on 09/09/2011

fanned - truth to power

[1differentdrummer]

07:05 AM on 09/09/2011

Cantor's shocking candor, two words seldom found in the same sentence.

[P-Woman]

05:45 AM on 09/09/2011

Eric Cantor now realizes that he had become intoxicated with too much tea and has a hang over that won't quit. He's feeling a little nauseous and does not quite have his bearings. He is spending more time wetting his finger and sticking it in the air to determine which way the wind is blowing. Too late Mr Cantor, you've ranted and raved and now people remember what you said--be a big boy and live with it.

[Mile End]

04:58 AM on 09/09/2011

Clearly, Mr. Cantor must have gotten an earful from his constituents over the summer and is trying to dial back the destroy-America-to-save-it-from-Obama rhetoric.

[92102]

02:27 AM on 09/09/2011

What a whiney weasel.

[Bobbi2664]

02:06 AM on 09/09/2011

Say what ?Surely you jest.I thought jobs were the priority on what the GOP ran on in 2010.Wow my mistake.carryon then.

[dennis1943]

06:02 AM on 09/09/2011

I smell "carrion".............

[SonyaInTx]

12:49 AM on 09/09/2011

Idiot Eric.

He knows damn well that the damage to the economy has been done and throwing a monkey wrench into the momentum President Obama had with the democratic supoermajorities in 2008. The debt ceilingh debate was a republican led fiasco. Remember Eric said at the height of the fighting, "It's all about me..."

Now Eric wants to cooperate with job? Well, if they do (republicans are as trustworthy as a stepped on rattle snake) they will only cooperate....until after the 2012 election. Then it's obstructionism all over again.

[thebuzzmanisone]

12:08 AM on 09/09/2011

what his wife needs more bailout money for the bank she works for

[lvdragonlady]

11:39 PM on 09/08/2011

What he is really saying is - WE have been helping the corporations and could not care less about the unemployed.

[theprez21]

11:06 PM on 09/08/2011

"I don’t question the president’s motives or his commitment to the country now," he said

Seriously Cantor? You don't have to agree with the President but show some respect for the office he holds and to which he was elected by the majority of the Country to hold.