Republicans are still celebrating their election victories, but the country’s GOP governors warned this week that they need to move fast on many of the changes that have been promised to voters.
The Republican Governors Association held its annual conference at a resort near Disney World this week where several governors talked eagerly about how the election of Donald Trump could herald sweeping changes on everything from health care to education.
But many of them said those changes need to come soon before the nation and Republican leaders get caught up in the 2018 election cycle.
“We cannot squander this opportunity,” said Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey.
Republicans now control the White House and Congress. And Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker pointed that this was the first time there has been this many GOP governors across the country since the 1920s.
Many of them were excited Tuesday about what could come next.
“The sky’s the limit,” Walker said. “There’s no end to the good we can do.”
Walker and other governors ticked off a long list of areas they would like to gain more control over whether it was education, transportation, workplace rules, health care or environmental policies. But they said some of these policies need to be tackled within Trump’s first 100 days.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott contended that Democrats and their allies would do what they could to stop Republicans.
“The empire will strike back,” said Scott, referencing the title of one of the “Star Wars” movies. “You can be sure they are right now planning to stop us from making real changes.”
Most of the GOP governors mentioned health care when discussing their top priorities.
But it became evident they are not in complete agreement on how to unwind President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul that included an expansion of Medicaid, the nation’s main safety net health care program for the poor. An estimated 20 million Americans are now receiving coverage through different elements of the overhaul including Medicaid or through health care exchanges that offer insurance policies.
Scott called the overhaul a “disaster” and said Republicans need to repeal it entirely. New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, however, said she expected people to continue to enroll for insurance using health care exchanges as long as it’s the law and that they can’t just take away insurance from people who have it now.
“I don’t know that there will ever be a turn off the switch, wait a period of time and then turn it back on,” said Martinez. “There is going to have to be a transition and not leave everyone uninsured.”
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who noted that Medicaid was expanded in his state prior to his election, called for a “thoughtful approach” to revamping health care and said he wants the ability to put in additional requirements for Medicaid recipients such as work requirements. Hutchinson has tried to win federal approval for some of his ideas but said he had been “stymied” by the Obama administration.
“We have the opportunity to do things we cannot do now,” Hutchinson said.
South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley called it a “new day” for statehouses across the country, but she added her own admonition.
“We can’t celebrate too long, we’ve got to get to work,” Haley said. “And that means 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, 120 days, all of us have to get to work.”
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
These statements make sense. The reality is that the longer it takes to introduce new initiatives the less likely they will pass. Once summer break arrives in Washington the momentum will be gone. Jan. 21 is the time for the Trump administration to begin to send legislative initiatives to Congress.
The American people have given the Republicans an unprecedented amount of power. We expect to see some positive results. If that doesn’t happen, election night 2018 may not be that happy of a night for the Republican party.
Well said, and the quicker they make decisions based on the will of the people, the Constitution and the rule of law the better it will be for the nation come 2018 and could possibly lead to people thinking hard about political correctness and the insane beliefs of the liberal left.
I will give them the benefit of the doubt but I won’t tolerate dragging the promises along the halls of the House of Reps and the Senate. It needs to be passed and action needs to be the key word on all undertakings. I will not blame the Republicans if the Democrats have a way of stopping or prolonging an action. I will simply write my congresspeople and senate and demand that they hold strong and continue with the agenda that will bring the economy back into alignment and also bring jobs back to America. I will not forgive anyone who stands on the legalization of illegals. They are here against our laws and they need to be sent back south of the border. Let Mexico pay for their schooling, food,housing,and all the other freebies that they receive in America.
ELIMINATE OBAMACARE IT’S ITS ENTIRETY AND REPLACE IT WITH MEDICAID FOR THOSE THAT DON’T OR WON’T BUY THEIR OWN INSURANCE SO IT DOESN’T COST US UNTIL THEY GO TO THE HOSPITAL! THAT WAS THE FOLLY WITH OBAMACARE, WE ACTUALLY PAID FOR THEIR HEALTHCARE PREMIUMS THROUGH SUBSIDIES! THIS WAY, THERE WILL BE NO SUBSIDIES FOR US TO PAY! ALSO ELIMINATE THE ENTIRE FEDERAL APPARATUS THAT WAS PUT IN PLACE TO RUN IT…AND SEND THOSE PEOPLE HOME. IF THEY CAN’T GET A JOB, THERE IS A WALL TO BUILD!
Move United, move fast, show force to media & world.
Then we WIN
I am grateful that Mr. Trump jumped right in and started getting things set up. Yes, we must move fast to implement the new changes. The voters have waited too long already and we don’t need people to be getting in the way of saving our country.
I can’t even imagine how long his to-do list is. It must be massive! But, he has surrounded himself with very smart and loyal people. I feel safer already, though am not becoming complacent, because the current POTUS and his minions aren’t just going to sit idly by and watch their power be taken away without a fight…and they fight dirty.
Keep up the prayers!! They are just as important now (or more) as they were before. Pray for the safety of all of our citizens and those who are going to be in our NEW administration. May they all make decisions and take actions that conform to our laws and are pleasing to the Lord. We have been given a great gift. Let us not squander this opportunity. God bless y’all and keep you safe!!