CONTRACT WITH AMERICA (1995) VS. DEMOCRATS’ ‘SIX FOR ‘06’ (2007)

As Democrats have quickly discovered, sound bites from the campaign trail don’t necessarily translate into sound legislation. Rather than take the time to craft responsible, rational legislation, Democrats rushed to the floor a series of flawed bills designed solely to quickly deliver on campaign slogans, producing, as the Los Angeles Times put it, “errors by the barrel.” To date, none have been signed into law, and it is unlikely many will.

The substance of the Democrats’ first 100 days is, at best, thin, and it particularly suffers in comparison to the Contract with America put forth by Republicans after they won the majority in 1995. Where Republicans put forward a coherent vision of more freedom, smaller government, and a stronger military, Democrats offer more taxation, more government regulation, and foreign policy retreat. Where the Contract advanced one of the most significant reforms of the last half century – welfare reform – Democrats are setting the stage for a reckless withdrawal in the Global War on Terrorism.

On the first day of the 110th Congress, Speaker-Elect Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) vowed to work together with Republicans “in partnership, not partisanship.” So how does the new majority stack up on the “partnership” scale? Republicans are still waiting …

In 1995, Republicans promised swift consideration of 10 broad reform initiatives based on “full and open debate.” The 10 Contract initiatives were the basis of 24 bills, the majority of which were considered during the first 100 days. Twenty-one of the 24 bills were considered under an open rule or under suspension. Democrats offered 154 amendments to those bills, passing 48. Just three Contract bills were considered under a closed rule. Open debate isn’t just about giving everyone a chance to talk – it’s about giving Members the opportunity to work together to craft better legislation. Good public policy can’t be enacted if it’s left on the cutting room floor.

Last year, as she touted Democrats’ “Six for ‘06” plan, then Minority Leader Pelosi told CongressDaily that her commitment to an open and bipartisan House was so great she would be willing to lose votes. “It’s not about a defeat, it’s about a decision,” she said. “I certainly would not say that we can’t bring things to the floor because we’ll lose. I think you have to be open to that and whatever the consequence, it is worth it because it has been the result of free and open debate.”

That was then, but when the Democratic rubber met the legislative road the emptiness of their promises were revealed. All of the “Six for ‘06” items were considered under closed rules. Republicans were barred from offering even a single amendment. So much for good public policy, and so much for Democratic promises.

In the first 100 days of the new majority, the record is clear: Democrats talk a good game, but have not come close to delivering. Speaker Pelosi promised, in her words, the “most open…Congress in history.” So far, the majority she leads has failed utterly to provide any openness whatsoever. All they’ve offered is flawed proposals, muzzled debate, closed rules, a lack of vision, and empty promises. All that and no t-shirt, either.