Boehner on First Anniversary of Tea Party Movement

Statement:

WASHINGTON – House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) issued the following statement marking the first anniversary of the Tea Party movement:

“The Tea Party movement has reminded us who’s really in charge of this country, and that’s the American people. These great patriots have been at the forefront of a growing political rebellion born from the American people’s opposition to greater government control over our economy and our lives. They are leading a diverse and growing movement, one comprised of Americans from all walks of life, many of whom are becoming engaged in politics for the first time because they are so fed up with Washington and the direction of the country.

“It’s not enough, however, for Republicans to simply voice respect for what the tea partiers are doing, praise their efforts, and participate in their rallies. Republicans must listen to them, stand with them, and walk among them.

“In these uncertain times, when government is growing and our nation is being driven deeper and deeper into debt, the Tea Party movement has given Americans who believe in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights the opportunity to band together and say ‘enough is enough.’ Government is no substitute for the hard work and common sense of the American people, and only by preserving this most self-evident of truths can we truly protect the blessings of freedom and liberty. This is exactly why the American people want us to scrap this massive government takeover of health care and start over.”