"I think we're gonna win. I can feel it," Rep. Jim Jordan (R) said with enthusiasm to a small crowd gathered at the Auglaize County Republican headquarters Thursday, announcing he will travel to other states to help his fellow Republican candidates.
There is a great deal at stake, Jordan explained, particularly in key races around the nation. He will be traveling to Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona and New Mexico.
When speaking about "the left," Jordan said, "They don't like our religious tradition. They don't like our national identity. They don't like our family identity."
Jordan countered this by emphasizing the important role of "family" as foundational to American culture and the role of tradition and geography that
has historically bound the nation together.
"I mean, think about it, we're a nation founded on Judeo-Christian principles. We shouldn't shy away from that. We'll welcome people from any faith, anyone who wants to come here--that's America, that's our Constitutional system, and that's the right thing. But we're founded on certain values and principles and we need to defend those . . . We like our history, our heritage, and we like the fact that we're supposed to have a border. It's one of the things that defines us as a country."
In terms of legislation in the works, Jordan was bullish about the passage of legislation that would essentially de-fund the Democrat's 87,000 IRA bill.
"The first bill we will pass will be to get rid of the money to fund the 87,000 IRA." Also known as the Inflation Reduction Act, or, “H.R. 5376” or “Act,” it is a program that is purported to hire 87,000 IRS agents to audit America's middle class.
Jordan painted a picture for listeners of the average type of person this bill targets.
"The day the Democrats passed that bill, I gave a speech on the floor that's one minute. I said who are they coming after? We know who they are coming after. They're gonna really come after small business people who give to Republicans. . . They're coming after the assistant football coach at the local high school. He teaches history, loves working with his students and student-athletes, and is a great coach . . . He's the guy at community festivals who's in the dunk tank. . . . He's that guy, who works hard every day. In the summer, he's got some side gigs, right? He's painting houses. He's cutting grass. And he's paying his taxes."
He then characterized the typical IRS agent involved with the bill as "some leftie," a "bureaucrat who doesn't go to work like all of you do," who "works remote in northern Virginia, drinking their $12 cup of coffee, and they say, 'We're going to go after that family.'"
The forum was open to public questions.
One audience member asked Jordan to comment on the bailout for student loans.
The lawsuit (like the one already underway by six GOP states: Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and South Carolina) is what it will take to stop an Executive Order issued by President Biden, Jordan explained.
"I remember the day [President Biden] did it, and I said, 'This is not only unconstitutional, it's just patently unfair.' We just know what unfairness is. From the time you're a kid and your brother gets two cookies and you get one, you just know that's unfair," Jordan explained, causing the crowd to laugh.
Another financial concern raised by an audience member was the rate of inflation.
"It's the largest COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) increase ever and it still isn't enough to keep pace with the cost of goods and services. That's Joe Biden's America. . . The energy problem is driving the inflation issue," Jordan argued, ultimately blaming the move to green energy.
"When you drive up the cost of energy, with their crazy, green 'New Deal' policies, you drive up the price of everything else," Jordan said.
Referencing something that happened "four of five months ago," Jordan entertained the audience with his recollection of when the Secretary of the Treasury, Janet Yellen, said 'Well, this inflation issue has kind of surprised us a little.' (Audience laughs). And I'm like, 'You spend like crazy. You pay people not to work. And you drive up the cost of energy. And you're surprised we have inflation at record levels?' I just tell people, 'Well, I'm just an ol' country boy from St. Paris, Ohio, but I can figure that one out.'"
Three, perhaps four, interest rate hikes are also driving this inflation despite the so-called Inflation Reduction Act, Jordan pointed out..
Finally, Jordan expressed his hope that Donald Trump will run in the next Presidential election, saying he talks to Trump regularly.
Speaking of the upcoming election, Jordan said, "As soon as we win the House and Senate, we can have some leverage, but ultimately it is going to take a new President. Part of what will happen over the next few years is we'll do the investigations to try to get all the facts to the country. We'll pass things in the House that will become law. But you'll begin to frame up what's at stake in 2024. The way modern American government now works...This isn't really how the founders intended it; they actually wanted Congress to have the most power. That's why they gave the taxing and appropriating (spend) power to the House. . . that body closest to the people who you get to elect or throw out every two years. But now what's happened in modern American government and politics, the Executive branch is the most powerful. You almost have to have The White House to effect real change."
