HOUSE Republican Leader John Boehner

Washington, Jan 21 - House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH), Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA), Conference Chairman Mike Pence (R-IN), Policy Committee Chairman Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI), and Chief Deputy Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) wrote to President Barack Obama today, requesting a meeting tomorrow to discuss Republican proposals to strengthen the economy and create new jobs.  President Obama met with congressional GOP leaders earlier this month and asked for their input as Congress and the White House work together on an economic recovery package.  For the last several weeks, an Economic Recovery Working Group chaired by Cantor has heard from experts and begun crafting a series of principles to present to the President.

“During our meeting on January 05, 2009, you reached out to Congressional Republicans to help you craft an economic recovery plan that will help our fellow Americans, boost our economy and create jobs,” said the leaders.  “In response to your request for input, we created a House Economic Recovery Working Group from a broad cross-section of our House conference and started talking to experts, other elected officials and citizens from across the nation to hear their thoughts on what Congress needs to do to help our economy.”

With the Congressional Budget Office reporting earlier this week that the plan proposed last week by congressional Democrats would not have a significant impact on the economy for several years, Republicans are prepared to provide the President their ideas for a more rapid recovery plan.

“After thoughtful deliberations, we are ready to present our principles to you to continue the dialogue we started at the beginning of this year,” the leaders continued.  “At that time you stressed the urgent need for swift action, and in that vein, we are requesting a meeting with our Economic Recovery Working Group and you, Thursday, January 22, 2009.  We are ready to continue our work to confront this economic challenge that is facing our nation and stand ready to work with you to do what is best for America.”

NOTE: The House Republican leaders’ letter to President Obama follows and is available here.

January 21, 2009

Dear President Obama:

Congratulations on your inauguration as our nation’s 44th president.

With world financial markets in turmoil, middle class families struggling, and our Main Street businesses facing uncertain futures, it has become clear that we as nation must act to boost our economy, and do it in a way that is smart, direct, efficient and transparent.

During our meeting on January 05, 2009, you reached out to Congressional Republicans to help you craft an economic recovery plan that will help our fellow Americans, boost our economy and create jobs.

In response to your request for input, we created a House Economic Recovery Working Group from a broad cross-section of our House conference and started talking to experts, other elected officials and citizens from across the nation to hear their thoughts on what Congress needs to do to help our economy.

The challenge as we see it is to create a plan that helps middle class taxpayers and small businesses without wasting money or exploding our national deficit.  We believe the economic recovery plan should primarily create real, long term jobs, encourage entrepreneurs, and help average Americans keep more of their money to save and invest.

After thoughtful deliberations, we are ready to present our principles to you to continue the dialogue we started at the beginning of this year.  At that time you stressed the urgent need for swift action, and in that vein, we are requesting a meeting with our Economic Recovery Working Group and you, Thursday, January 22, 2009.

We are ready to continue our work to confront this economic challenge that is facing our nation and stand ready to work with you to do what is best for America.

Sincerely,