GOP slams ‘pen and phone’ strategy

Incoming House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) criticized President Obama for saying he would use his “pen and phone” to accomplish his agenda without the help of Congress.

Scalise, the former leader of the conservative Republican Study Committee (RSC), called on Obama to pressure the Democratically led Senate to adopt more bills that have been passed by the House.

{mosads}”Every time they say no — every time they pick their interests over yours — they hold our economy hostage, and with it, our chance to make sure our kids will have the same shot at the American dream,” Scalise said in the GOP’s regular weekly address.

“Will [Obama] put down the pen and stop trying to rewrite laws you don’t like, and instead pick up the phone and call on Senate Democrats to get work passing those good bipartisan jobs bills?”

Scalise was elected to his new post in House leadership in late June and will assume it later this year, leaving his role at the RSC.

Republicans are eager to hammer Obama for his use of executive action as Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) works to initiate a lawsuit over delays in ObamaCare’s employer mandate.

The White House argues that Obama’s decisions have been well within the scope of his authority.

Obama said in January that he has a “pen” and a “phone” and won’t be “waiting for legislation in order to make sure that we’re providing Americans the kind of help they need.”