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House Republicans sought to recapture the spirit of their 1994 election landslide Thursday, unveiling a 21-page "Pledge to America" that includes promises to slash taxes, cut government and reverse President Barack Obama's health care reforms.

Among other things, House GOP leaders pledged to permanently extend all of the Bush-era tax cuts due to expire at the end of this year -- including for individuals making over $250,000.

They also proposed giving small businesses a tax deduction equal to 20 percent of their income, while requiring Congress to review any new federal regulations that add to the deficit.

They pushed a domestic spending freeze, with the exception of certain politically sensitive programs such as veterans' benefits.

While stressing the need to reduce spiraling deficits, they did not offer specifics on how to restrain the growth of entitlement programs such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

The document also lacks a pledge against unrelated pet projects that members of Congress often insert in spending bills to bring funding to their home districts -- known as earmarks. Banning earmarks is typically a staple of Republican policy.

"The federal government is too big, it spends too much, and it's out of control," said House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio. The current federal government "isn't listening" and "doesn't get it."

"Our government has failed us," said Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-California. "The land of opportunity has become the land of shrinking prosperity. ... People are outraged."

The House GOP leadership unveiled its proposal at a lumber company in northern Virginia.

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Several Republican sources said there was no intention to directly address social issues because the electorate is so heavily focused on jobs and spending.

Republican leaders settled on a line that states: "We pledge to honor families, traditional marriage, life, and the private and faith-based organizations that form the core of our American values."

This language was a late addition, according to a GOP source, after conservative Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana argued that social issues should be included in the document representing the agenda of House Republicans.

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House Democratic leaders claimed the document showed Republicans want to return to what they called failed policies of the past.

It seems "like just another day," White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said after the rollout. Gibbs told reporters the plan was written by a lobbyist, and was no different from anything the GOP had put forward over the last decade.

A statement from House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer's office on Wednesday mocked the GOP positions, saying they showed that Republicans pledged allegiance to hedge fund managers on Wall Street, insurance companies, the "wealthiest of the wealthy," oil companies and big corporations that outsource jobs, "with a recession and huge deficits for all."

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We will fight to increase access to domestic energy.

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Increasing access to domestic energy is critical to our nation’s security, economic growth, and quality of life. — American Petroleum Institute

It’s time for the president to let the market access dependable, affordable and abundant domestic energy. — Tim Phillips, President of the Americans for Prosperity

This multifaceted bill includes the building blocks of sound energy policy—efficiency, conservation, diversity, and expanded access to domestic energy supplies. — Jack Gerard, American Chemistry Council

Increasing access to domestic resources will mean more jobs, more revenues to help cash-strapped local, state and federal governments and greater energy security.– American Petroleum Institute

The President again urges Congress to pass legislation that opens access to domestic energy sources such as the Outer Continental Shelf and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. — President George W. Bush

We need to increase access to domestic energy sources. — John Engler, President of the National Association of Manufacturers

Congress need[s] to increase access to domestic energy sources… [to] significantly increase domestic oil and natural gas production. — Competitive Enterprise Institute

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Dude, you mispellt "democrat." Youse better fix that befor the Spelling Fairy cetches you.

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