Boehner working to 'fix the Congress'

WASHINGTON, Nov. 10 (UPI) -- Republican leaders will "fix the Congress" so it will listen to the American people, U.S. House of Representatives Speaker-apparent John Boehner said.

Noting Americans' priorities were "pretty straightforward," Boehner said Wednesday the Republican-led House would shift its focus "because the American people want the uncertainty to go away so that we can begin to create jobs in America."

Boehner, from Ohio, said in a media availability the Republicans have a lot on their plate, including efforts to reduce spending, jump start the economy and repeal the new healthcare law "that, frankly, gets in the way of job creation."

"(We've) got to fix the Congress so that the Congress can focus in on Americans' priorities," he said.

Boehner reminded reporters about a speech he gave in the fall when he outlined how he intends to run the House.

"It needs to be more open," he said. "It needs to be more transparent. And it needs to be more accountable. And you will see from day one that I say what I mean and I mean what I say."

Heading the Republican transition team is Rep. Greg Walden of Oregon, who said his team met with Boehner to discuss how "we can make this place more open, more accessible to the public."

"How do we do the things that you would reform if you were in charge?" Walden said. "So let's start and build a House that works for the people, because this is the people's House."

Asked about his visit next week with President Obama, Boehner ticked off a possible agenda.

"Have a nice conversation. Figure out how we make all of the current tax rates permanent so we can help end the uncertainty that's stopping employers from hiring more people," he said. "Talk about how we can reduce spending. I think it's important that we reduce spending to pre-bailout, pre-stimulus levels."