Ryan Promises Agenda That Will Offer ‘Complete Alternative’ To Democrats

Speaker Paul Ryan told a Republican audience at the Library of Congress Thursday that GOP lawmakers in the House of Representatives would offer a “complete alternative” to Democrats ahead of next year’s election.

In a speech billed by Ryan’s office as his first major address as speaker, the Janesville representative said Republicans needed to win both the presidency and Congress before they had a real mandate. He said doing that meant developing a complete alternative to Democrats.

While Ryan promised bold ideas, his number one priority was familiar: “There are many things to do, but most urgent is to actually repeal and replace Obamacare.”

Ryan also called for simplifying the tax code to just two or three tax brackets in order to lower rates for everyone. He called for combining many government safety net programs, saying they create a disincentive for poor people, including single mothers, to find work.

Ryan did not discuss immigration — an issue that has divided Republicans. He also did not mention gun violence or the mass shooting that took place Wednesday in California.