CONCLUSION

In her December 14 press event to preview the Democratic agenda, Speaker-Elect Pelosi promised an “open” Congress three times. Such promises have been repeatedly broken and stand in stark contrast to the fair and open debate during the Republicans’ Contract with America in 1995. More importantly, the Democrats’ first 100 days were filled with a series of flawed bills based solely on empty campaign slogans, most of which are unlikely to become law. Indeed, according to the Los Angeles Times, “A new poll gives Democrats mixed reviews, with nearly six in 10 respondents unable to name anything important the new Congress has done.”

As House Democrats continue to come up empty time and time again, Republicans are re-engaging the American people in the drive for a smaller, more accountable federal government. In just a few short months, Republicans have already begun to re-energize the GOP team, re-develop the Republican brand, and offer substantive solutions to address the issues that matter. Whether it is a plan to balance the budget without raising taxes, an energy policy that creates American jobs and lowers consumer prices at the pump, or a clean funding bill that gives our troops the resources they need to win the Global War on Terror, Republicans will continue to lead when Democrats do not.

While the Democrats’ first 100 days have brought forth a caucus that remains divided on key issues of the day, Republicans stand united in opposition to the Democrats’ agenda of more taxes, more spending, more regulation, and retreat from fighting the Global War on Terrorism. And it bodes well for Republicans’ efforts to earn back our majority.