Hensarling, Garrett Seek GOP Meeting On RSC "Action Plan"

Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas), chairman of the Republican Study Committee, and Rep. Scott Garrett (R-N.J.), another RSC member, are seeking to hold a GOP Conference meeting to approve an "action plan" for House Republicans.

Hensarling and Garrett began circulating a petition on Thursday, seeking 50 Republicans members to sign onto their plan for a special conference meeting. Under GOP Conference rules, if 50 members formally request such a session, it must be held.

In a short letter to be sent to Republican Conference Chairman Adam Putnam (Fla.), Hensarling informed the leadership of his plan for a special conference:

"Pursuant to the Rules of the House Republican Conference, we hereby request that you schedule an immediate Republican Conference for the purpose of voting on provisions of an action plan for House Republicans."

Hensarling and the RSC demanded, and got, a GOP Conference meeting this week to review an 8-point agenda assembled by the group that includes an end to "pork-barrel spending," a simplified tax code, increased oil exploration and other proposals. The RSC now wants the GOP Conference to debate and vote on elements of their "Action Plan" so it can become official House Republican policy.

GOP conservatives believe the American public is "angry" and "getting maddier" because official Washington is not offering solutions to their day-to-day problems. A failure by Republicans to offer bold alternatives to Democrats this November could prove disastrous to the GOP. Part of the RSC manifesto released on Wednesday outlines this view of the current political environment:
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