Boehner, McConnell Talk Prospects for Next Congress

Presumptive House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) told reporters today that he will work toward a “smaller, less costly and more accountable government here in Washington, D.C.” Though his remarks were short on policy, Boehner said he would aim to repeal the health care bill and extend the Bush tax cuts.

Boehner also said current House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) called him to wish him good luck in his new role. But apparently she didn’t get through. “Speaker Pelosi left me a very nice voicemail,” Boehner said.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who joined Boehner at the press conference, said last night’s election was “clearly a referendum” on the Obama administration and Democrats in Congress. In voting to give Republicans the majority in the House and increasing the number of Republicans in the Senate, the American people said “they appreciated us saying no to the things that the American people indicated they were not in favor of,” McConnell added.

McConnell also said he hopes to work with the president on areas in which there is some agreement, specifically citing so-called clean coal technology and nuclear power. “It’s clear that we’re going to have to have some kind of bipartisan agreement,” McConnell said.