Skip to content

McCarthy Touts GOP Website; Obama Reflects on Significance of Memorial Day

President Barack Obama used Saturday’s weekly radio address to reflect on the meaning of Memorial Day, while Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) touted a new GOP website aimed at soliciting ideas from the public about the direction of Congress.

Obama called on Americans to take time over the holiday weekend to honor the sacrifices of men and women who serve in uniform, not just with words but with deeds.

“We are called to honor them by doing our part for the loved ones our fallen heroes have left behind and looking after our military families. By making sure the men and women serving this country around the world have the support they need to achieve their missions and come home safely. By making sure veterans have the care and assistance they need,” the president said.

He noted that Memorial Day was started by a group of Civil War veterans who wanted it to coincide to the time when flowers were in bloom, in order to be able to leave them on the graves of fallen soldiers.

“So this weekend, as we commemorate Memorial Day, I ask you to hold all our fallen heroes in your hearts, and if you can, to lay a flower where they have come to rest,” Obama said.

McCarthy, meanwhile, called attention to America Speaking Out, a new House GOP initiative aimed at “giving Americans a megaphone to make their voices heard and help construct a new agenda rooted in principles of smaller, more accountable and less costly government.”

The website, AmericaSpeakingOut.com, features a forum for people to share ideas. House Republicans will hold town hall meetings over the Memorial Day recess to talk about the effort.

“Democrats running Washington have failed to listen to the American people. Instead, they’ve pursued a partisan agenda that doesn’t reflect the priorities of the American people, who are fed up with the spending, the taxes, the bailouts and the debt being piled on to our kids and grandkids,” said McCarthy, who is House Republicans’ chief deputy whip.

The new initiative is about “throwing open the doors and letting a little sunshine in. America Speaking Out will give Americans back the voice in Washington—and House Republicans are ready to listen,” he said.

Recent Stories

Cole considered early favorite to win House Appropriations gavel

Joseph Lieberman, an iconoclast who frustrated the Democratic Party, dies at 82

Officials: Baltimore bridge price tag could be at least $2 billion

Race to House majority runs through the 10 Toss-ups

Kuster will not seek reelection in New Hampshire

Appeals court extends hold on Texas deportation law