CHICAGO (AllPolitics, December 30) -- Rep. Dennis Hastert said Wednesday if he is elected House speaker, as expected, his top task is to "restore the faith of the American people in the U.S. Congress."

Rep. Dennis Hastert

The 56-year-old Illinois Republican told reporters that consultations with GOP House leaders convinced him to run for the post.

"This is a job, certainly as I said, I didn't seek," said Hastert, the House chief deputy whip. "There's a lot of challenges out there, and there's some serious things that the House of Representatives has to do."

"The most important thing that we have to do is to restore the faith of the American people in the U.S. Congress, and the faith of American people that American government works," said Hastert.

"That's my commitment -- to do that. I am committed to do it with the Republican majority in the House of Representatives," he said. "We need to work with the Senate, and we need to work across the aisle to get those things done."

Hastert singled out two priorities for the 106th Congress: fixing Social Security and lowering taxes.

"We've made a social contract with the seniors and the future seniors of this country, that we need to make sure that they have a sound and safe and secure future," he said. "And Social Security is the number one priority."

As for tax cuts, Hastert said working families must be able to reap the benefits of the country's prosperity.

"We take more tax dollars from taxpayers today than ever in the history of the United States," he said.

Wednesday, December 30, 1998

• Hyde opposes preliminary vote on impeachment
• Poll: Bill, Hillary top most admired list
• Hastert will run for House speaker
• Gingrich pays off ethics penalty
• Sen. McCain prepares for a presidential bid
• Clinton announces plan to reorganize foreign affairs agencies
• Clinton starts New Year's retreat
• U.S. relaxes encryption restrictions
• Andrew Johnson gets wreath on grave
• Big spenders did well in '98 vote
• Sen. McCain exploring bid for GOP presidential nomination

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