Congresional Republicans tapped an Oklahoma state representative of Native American origins to make a point about building a “confident America” Saturday.
“Republicans are calling for a confident America — where hard work, honesty, thrift, education are all rewarded. We believe in giving people a hand up, a step up — in empowering them to live out their dreams. That’s the confident America we believe in,” Oklahoma State Rep. Lisa Johnson-Billy said in a video from Oklahoma City.
“But as we know in Oklahoma, what inspires confidence is performance.”
Johnson-Billy’s remarks served as this week’s national GOP address.
“I know I may not be a familiar face in Washington. But our leaders need to hear from people outside of Washington,” Johnson-Billy said.
“I’m also a proud member of the Chickasaw and Choctaw tribes. In fact, I am the first Native American, the first woman, and the first Republican to represent my district,” Johnson-Billy touted.
Congressional Republicans’ pitch of enterprise and self-reliance contrasts with calls by Democrats such as Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont who is running for president with an agenda that urges an expanded social safety net. Sanders, like Republican frontrunner Donald Trump and Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, depict the United States in crisis though they differ on blame and proposed solutions.
