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Wheeling, WV, March 25, 1965
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4525826
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Wheeling, WV, March 25, 1965
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Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers
Speeches
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The original documents are located in Box D19, folder "Wheeling, WV, March 25, 1965" of
the Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford
Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. The Council donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box D17 of The Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
Excerpts from a speech by Rep. Gerald R. Ford (R-Mich)
Wheeling, W. Va.
March 25, 1965
This Nation has been described as a place where a man can live deeper, reach
higher, see farther, think bigger and grow greater than anywhere else on earth.
The Republican Party starting at this moment must be dedicated to preserve
America as just that,
To accomplish the task, we need far more members in the ranks, more unity in
the Party, courage, resourcefulness, creative ideas and readiness to work and earn
our way.
*
*
*
There have been strong indications of unity in the Congressional ranks of the
Republican Party in recent weeks. It has been evident in the votes we have had
since the start of the 89th Congress.
Republican Party shoulder-to-shoulder unity provides some counter-weight to the
imbalance of power between the executive and legislative branches of our government,
both of which are overwhelmingly dominated by the same political party.
This imbalance must be redressed through the establishment of a strong two-
party system to insure Constitutional checks and balances.
Republicans are vastly outnumbered in this Congress, but we can still speak
with the voice of a dedicated majority.
*
*
*
While the President has been badgered by some strong Democrats to withdraw from
Viet Nam, he has received strong support from the Republican leadership in both
the House and the Senate.
In bargaining with the Communist nations, our country constantly gives much and
gets little or nothing in return.
Until we and our allies agree to a "no concession-no deal" policy, we can
expect more Koreas and Viet Nams---an ever-widening circle of Communist subversion
around the earth.
*
*
*
At times, Republicans in Congress will oppose both the aims and the methods of
the Administration. However, we will not oppose for the sake of opposition. We will
continue to support the Administration when it is right, and oppose it when it is
wrong.
*
*
*
The record the minority party will write in the 89th Congress will result in
widespread Republican victories in 1966.
Excerpts from a speech by Rep. Gerald R. Ford (R-Mich)
0
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
The duty of Republicans in Congress, as we see it,
is to exert our influence in a positive, creative manner to help guide the
Nation toward the goals of freedom, security, peace and well-being by adopting
legislation based on investing and spending public money wisely.
*
*
*
A searching and honest analysis can dispel the myth that the
President's proposed budget is less than $100 billion. Including the
"new obligational authority" which means "the right to spend government
funds"
the budget total is $106 billion. Adding the cash budget, federal
spending under the present Administration's financial blueprint will be more
than $126 billion a year, a new all-time spending record for Uncle Sam.
*
*
*
Last year, when we adopted the tax cut bill, the majority inserted a
pledge to give priority to balancing the budget and to reduce the debt of our
country.
The proposed Administration budget fails to keep these promises,
especially when the national debt has increased by $10 billion in just two
years to an all-time high of $318 billion.
*
*
*
Republicans believe in the goals of greater efficiency in government
and a less burdensome tax system. The proposed budget from the White House
omits any reference to fiscal responsibility. This could not have been an
oversight. We must keep in mind that this annual report on federal financing
has too many political overtones.
HEALTH CARE
A Republican plan has been drafted that will lighten the
burden of health care for senior citizens. The program will provide comprehens-
ive health insurance for all persons age 65 and over on a uniform basis
throughout the Nation.
The plan will be entirely voluntary. Costs will be shared by the
persons taking part in the plan and the federal government. This new approach
is more equitable than the Administration's widely-publicized compulsory
"medicare" proposal, which would be financed by a regressive payroll tax with
minimum benefits.
The Republican plan will not endanger the social security system. It
is fair and voluntary. A decision to participate is an individual choice.
Excerpts from a speech by Rep. Gerald R. Ford (R-Mich)
FEDERAL POWER We must reverse the trend of having too much federal control
over States, counties, cities, towns and small communities. A government big
enough to provide hand-outs in a broad and sweeping way, is big enough to take
away the freedom of individuals.
The growth of government control and heavy centralization in Washington
means that more of our hard-earned substance is seized in taxes and more of
our decisions are made by bureaucrats.
Federal government has no business telling States, cities and smaller
communities how to think and plan.
URBAN RENEWAL The President, in his message on cities, had goals both lofty
and humanitarian. He described community problems that do exist in many parts
of the Nation.
However, the message to Congress emphasized the Administration's
strong desire to create far more federal centralization of power, which is
already in too many instances throttling metropolitan initiative and local
responsibility.
A Republican proposal a constructive alternative will help cities
to help themselves without putting the lives of citizens in the hands of
federal master-planners.
Under the Administration's plan, another federal agency would be
created to command the efforts of urban renewal. The Republican alternative
will combine the Urban Renewal and Public Housing Administrations to eliminate
costly duplication.
VOTING RIGHTS The patience of fair-minded people is wearing thin when after
decades of waiting and three Civil Rights Acts the basic right of citizenship
is still denied to a substantial number of Americans in brazen defiance of the
Constitution.
The Republican platform of 1964 pledged such additional administrative
or legislative actions as may be required to end the denial, for whatever
unlawful reason, of the right to vote. The present Congress in the current
session must enact new voting legislation that will stop discrimination
without depriving the States of the right to set reasonable qualifications for
the exercise of suffrage.