GOP keeps check on Washington

One party in total control of Washington. Record debt. Record deficits. Massive bills shoved through Congress. No accountability. No transparency.

Though they might not say so publicly, that’s the real agenda President Obama and House Democrats are running on in 2014, and it happens to be the exact same agenda Americans rejected just a few years ago.

{mosads}House Republicans are offering a different way forward. Right now, we are the only check and balance on this administration — and really, the only check and balance on Washington.

The 2014 election offers a clear contrast: Democrats are running on an agenda that puts Washington first; Republicans are running on an agenda that puts Americans first.

And because of all this, 12 months out from Election Day, Republicans are in a strong position to grow our majority.

Americans have experienced what happens when Democrats have complete control of Washington: ObamaCare, trillions of dollars in new reckless spending, higher taxes, more debt and IRS scandals.

Meanwhile, our agenda includes getting our spending under control, balancing our budget to get our economy moving, promoting patient-centered healthcare reform and ensuring that government is accountable and transparent.

To help in our effort to hold Washington accountable at a time of incredible distrust of government, Republicans have a strong field of top-tier, diverse candidates across the country.

In this condensed playing field, candidates and campaigns will matter more than ever before, which is why I am very proud that five of our candidates outraised their Democrat opponents this past quarter. We are also making recruiting women a top priority, and we have an amazing field of women candidates, including Air Force veteran Martha McSally in Southern Arizona, Mayor Mia Love in Utah, Tootie Smith in Oregon, and Elise Stefanik in New York — just to name a few.

Even Democrats are crossing over and joining our effort to hold this administration accountable. Former Democrat state Sen. Evan Jenkins in West Virginia switched parties to become a Republican to challenge vulnerable Democrat Nick Rahall — all because he was so frustrated with this president’s continued “War on Coal.”

Yet Washington Democrats remain trapped in their old ways. Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Fla.) said recently that Democrats can run and win on ObamaCare in 2014.

I can’t wait to see Democrat members like Ann Kirkpatrick in Arizona run ads defending the bill she voted for and continues to support. The total dysfunctionality of the Obama-Care website has brought to life the serious consequences of this flawed law.

And to top it off, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) says our country, facing $17 trillion in debt, doesn’t have a spending problem.

All of this might seem normal in Washington, but out in the districts across America that will determine control of the House, these actions are bizarre and disturbing to voters.

Even so, we aren’t taking anything for granted. Obama has made clear that winning the House for Democrats is his No. 1 goal.

Why are Democrats so committed to unilateral control of Washington? It’s simple. Democrats trust government; as Republicans, we trust you.

Walden has served Oregon’s 2nd Congressional District since 1999.