VP Pence Issues Remarks at 7th Annual Executive Branch Review Conference of Federalist Society
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you all for that very warm welcome. And thank you to
To
Thank you for inviting us to the
And I want to welcome some of you back to
And, mentioning people in our administration, allow me to bring greetings from a friend of mine and a great admirer of the
The President is on Air Force One as we speak. He's headed out to
And I expect -- and I'll reflect a bit on the record of the last two and a half years. It's obvious how much we admire the men and women of the
You know, it's amazing to think the
In fact, when I was elected to
Well, from those backbench law students complaining four decades ago, since then, it's remarkable to think what the
And, really, you've achieved incredible success.
And today, your members serve in positions all across the federal government, serving in the
What began as a small group scattered throughout a few law schools has become a powerful movement grounded in the principles of the American founding, leading the fight for constitutional principles that always made America great before and are making America great again. And I promise you, you have no greater friend in that fight than President
You know, and make no mistake about it: The President and I both know the American people have stood with him, and in large part because he's a man of his word and he kept his promises to cut taxes, roll back regulations, and rebuild our military. And this President has kept his promise to nominate strong conservatives to our federal courts at every level. (Applause.) True.
I mean, we all remember that morning in February of 2016 when news broke of the passing of the late and great Justice
In 1986, my second favorite President,
Before
But today,
And
And since
And that doesn't even count the two judges that this President chose for the
So we've made great progress, but we're going to keep right on working. Earlier today,
So, the
In the Federalist Papers,
But I'm proud to say, under
In fact, I'm pleased to report we've cut more federal red tape in our first two years than any administration in American history.
We exceeded a goal that we set at the very beginning of our administration. In fact, when he was a candidate, the President promised the American people that we would repeal two federal regulations for every new federal rule put in the Code of Federal Regulations. But we didn't do that. We actually, as of last year, have cut 12 federal regulations for every new federal rule put on the books. (Applause.) We're rolling back red tape at a historic level, and it's made a real difference in our economy.
As you've heard here today, and you all have reflected on, you know that has real impact on jobs and opportunities. Since
And the truth is, as you look at the agenda of this administration -- of historic tax relief, unleashing American energy, and fighting for more free and fair and reciprocal trade -- it's been the regulatory relief that actually has been a capstone of all of that.
As I travel around the country, I hear -- I hear business leaders tell me every single day that while the tax cuts made a difference, the regulatory relief made just as much a difference. And because of the leadership that the President has provided, and the support that we had from Republican majorities, the American economy is booming. (Applause.) It's true.
Since
The unemployment rate, as of last Friday, hit a nearly 50-year low, and today there are more Americans working than ever before in the history of
In fact, I was just in a
I mean, it wouldn't come as any surprise to members of the
But for all that we've accomplished with the support of all of you in this room, that's just what
We stopped the last administration's effort to force employers to provide health insurance plans that violated their pro-life principles, and we expanded and strengthened a religious and moral exemption to the HHS mandate so all Americans can live out their faith in freedom without fear. (Applause.)
Working with the
Another example: The
The
The
And we're -- we're cutting the federal red tape that slows down the deployment of new technologies like the 5G wireless networks.
We've had remarkable success rolling back the heavy hand of government, and the
Unfortunately, as you've no doubt reflected on today, the kind of government control that our Founders were concerned about is too often exerted by the administrative state in this country. And it's been emerging in recent years in the federal judiciary in the form of nationwide injunctions.
These orders are issued by federal district court judges on a broad range of issues -- from national security to immigration, from border security to healthcare reform. And these orders prevent the entire Executive Branch from enforcing a statute, a regulation, or a policy on a nationwide basis. And they apply everywhere, to everyone, granting relief even to those who are not parties to a case.
As Justice Thomas wrote last year in a decision upholding
It's remarkable to think a
This obstruction at the district level is unprecedented. Studies show that there's not a single example of a nationwide injunction in the first 175 years of our nation's history.
Although we received some good news last night that the Ninth Circuit stayed an injunction to allow our administration to continue our "remain in
Nationwide injunctions issued by federal judges prevent the Executive Branch from acting, compromising our national security by obstructing the lawful ability of the President to stop threats to the homeland, where he sees them.
These injunctions undermine the rule of law and the separation of powers that are central to our nation's founding, that lie at the very heart of our
And so I say to all those gathered here, for the sake of our liberty, our security, our prosperity, and the separation of powers: This era of judicial activism must come to an end. (Applause.)
In the days ahead, our administration will seek opportunities to put this very question before the
So thank you again for allowing me to join you here today in this remarkable time in the life of our nation. And thank you for the role that all the members of the
And the truth of the matter is, we're advancing an agenda of freedom for the American people. And the
But just know we're just getting started. We're going to continue to lean on each and every one of you, guided by your example and as you are guided by the wisdom of our Founders to continue, to make this country great and strong and prosperous as it was always intended to be.
But we can't keep winning if we don't keep fighting. But the truth is, we live in a time when freedom itself, in so many ways, is under assault.
Today, leading liberals mock the First Amendment freedoms of millions of Americans across the country. They reject the right to life, many arguing for late-term abortion and even some defending infanticide.
Under the guise of what's known as the Green New Deal and Medicare for All, liberals are fighting for more regulation and government control of our daily lives. And increasingly, every day, we see
I truly do believe that the choice before us has never been clearer and the stakes have never been higher. It really is a choice between government coercion and control and a socialist vision for America, and freedom and free markets and the principles of limited government.
It's really a choice between freedom and socialism.
And it's important that the leaders gathered here, as you return to your homes, return to your practices and your work -- you help tell the story not just of what we've accomplished, but of the choice our country faces in the days ahead, and that you do what
You know, it was freedom, not socialism, that gave us the most prosperous economy in the history of the world.
It was freedom, not socialism, that ended slavery, won two world wars, and stands today as a beacon of hope for all the world.
It was freedom, not socialism, that's moving us beyond the prejudices of the past to create a more perfect union and extend the blessings of liberty to every American, regardless of race or creed or color.
And it was freedom, not socialism, that gave us the highest quality of life, the cleanest environment on Earth, and improved the health and wellbeing of millions around the world.
You know, what Medicare for All really means is quality healthcare for none. (Laughter.) And the only thing green about the Green New Deal is how much green it's going to cost all of us if they ever sign it into law. (Laughter.)
You know, I say to you from my heart: The moment America becomes a socialist country is the moment America ceases to be America. And so, as
Well, this is our charge; this is our challenge: to reject the Left's plans for more government and more government control, and continue fighting -- continue fighting for the agenda that
And we know it won't be easy. But
And I want to promise you
We can't do it alone. So, as I said, I want you to do your part. Talk to your colleagues and your friends -- not just
Tell them that this President and this administration are fighting for all of the liberties they hold dear.
And, in a word, do just like those words on the Liberty Bell say. I was very moved, Leonard, when you mentioned my visit to the Liberty Bell because it was already in the speech. (Laughter.) I'll never forget, I walked up to that Liberty Bell in
That was a charge to early Americans, and it's a charge for each and every one of us.
It's not going to be enough for us just to win the next election; we have to win the next generation. (Applause.) And we win it by explaining the principles of our nation's founding, explaining the genius of our Founders, and letting this generation know that those ideals all still work and they're witnessing them being put into practice again in our courts, in our economy, and our nation.
But it's been great to be with all of you today. I know you've had a long day, and I appreciate the invitation to join you.
But I want to tell you, looking out at all of you, I leave here today with renewed confidence that with your continued support, with President
And to borrow a phrase -- (laughter) -- we will make America great again.
Thanks everybody. (Applause.) God bless you all. And God bless America.
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