Updates: Tea Party Caucus Convenes

Statement

The Tea Party members of the U.S. Senate announce that they will form and hold the first meeting of the Tea Party Caucus on January 27. Along with various grassroots Tea Party groups, who have played a vitally important role in the movement to put our nation on the right path, Sens. Jim DeMint (S.C.), Mike Lee (Utah), and Rand Paul (Ky.) will gather to discuss spending proposals, options for balancing the budget, bringing an end to our nation's deficit, and limiting the size and scope of the federal government. Citizens will be invited to speak so we can hear from them and address their concerns about what's happening in Washington.

The caucus is a direct reaction to the demands Americans made at the polls in November: To stop politics as usual in Washington, stop the unchecked expansion of government power, and stop the out-of-control spending. The Tea Party caucus heeds these calls and will continue to listen and craft legislation reflecting our constituents' needs. We were sent here to deal with our fiscal issues the way families across the country must do: set priorities and spend only what we have.

"Republicans in the Senate have already made a pledge to end earmarks and fight for a balanced-budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution," Sen. Rand Paul said today. "By joining with my fellow Senators, Jim DeMint of South Carolina and Mike Lee of Utah, as well as grassroots groups who see the need for government reform, the caucus will work to enact real change to protect our country and its taxpayers from an ever-expanding government."

"The Tea Party movement is a movement of everyday Americans who have grown tired of Washington playing by their own set of rules. Americans have elected us to be responsible caretakers of their hard-earned money and freedom, and the formation of this caucus gives us the opportunity to listen to the American people and do what they elected us to do," said Sen. Lee. "I look forward to working with Sens. Paul and DeMint, in bringing the debate back to Washington DC and to the halls of congress on what the proper role of government is."

"I'm excited to be working with leaders like Senators Paul and Lee to continue outreach with millions of concerned citizens who have called for an end to the runaway spending and debt," said Sen. DeMint. "The folks who made the Tea Party such a force to be reckoned with in the last election can have an enduring impact by holding elected officials accountable to the people. They will be watching to see if those they helped elect make good on their limited government promises, and I intend to help them stay informed and engaged."

The inaugural meeting of the Senate Tea Party Caucus will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2011. Location information to follow.

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