House GOP retreat examines taxes, energy

From CNN Capitol Hill Producer Ted Barrett

WILLIAMSBURG, Virginia (CNN) -- House Republicans on Saturday concluded their three-day annual retreat, which aides described as a time to hear the views of rank-and-file members on issues the new Congress will handle in the year ahead.

Taxes and energy costs were the top subjects at the retreat in Williamsburg, Virginia, aides said.

"They mostly wanted to talk about tax policy -- not necessarily the numbers," said John Feehery, press secretary to Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Illinois. "There was an acknowledgement that we need to move quickly on the pro-growth tax cuts, such as cutting the marginal rate."

But Feehery said decisions on the size and scope of the tax cuts won't be decided until leaders get back to Washington and hash out what they heard from their membership.

"They also want to pay down the debt, reform Social Security, and create a prescription drug benefit for Medicare recipients," he said. "There's a lot of interest in developing an energy policy. People are feeling the pinch."

One member of the leadership team -- which includes, in addition to Hastert, Majority Leader Dick Armey and Majority Whip Tom DeLay, both from Texas; and conference chairman J.C. Watts, of Oklahoma -- attended each session to hear the concerns and expectations of the members.

The concluding session of the retreat was an open microphone period with Hastert and Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott of Mississippi.

President George W. Bush addressed the group Friday and Vice President Dick Cheney also made an appearance.

The retreats were closed to reporters who were escorted away by police.

Senate Republicans are holding their annual retreat across town and for the first time joined their House counterparts at numerous policy sessions.

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