Congressional
Democrats believe America should work for everyone - not just those at
the top - by building opportunity and prosperity for all, and guaranteeing
real security at home and around the world. We know that Americans can
work together to meet the serious challenges facing our country, create
a stronger nation, and build a safer world.
With
a firm commitment to honest leadership and tough budget discipline to
end record deficit spending, we propose a legislative agenda - A New Direction
- that unites rather than divides our country. Beginning with our goal
of an America that strives for the common good, these are our legislative
priorities in the 109th Congress for a New Direction.
REAL
SECURITY AT HOME AND OVERSEAS
Reclaim American leadership with a tough, smart plan to transform failed
Bush Administration policies in Iraq, the Middle East and around the world.
Require the Iraqis to take responsibility for their country and begin
the phased redeployment of US forces from Iraq in 2006. Double the size
of Special Forces to destroy Osama Bin Laden and terrorist networks like
al Qaeda. Rebuild a state-of-the-art military capable of projecting power
wherever necessary. Implement the bipartisan 9/11 Commission proposal
to secure America's borders and ports and screen 100% of containers. Fully
man, train, and equip our National Guard and our police, firefighters
and other first responders. Honor our commitments to our veterans.
BETTER
AMERICAN JOBS - BETTER PAY
Prohibit the Congressional pay raise until the nation's minimum wage is
raised. End tax giveaways that reward companies for moving American jobs
overseas.
COLLEGE ACCESS FOR ALL
Make college tuition deductible from taxes, permanently. Cut student loan
interest rates. Expand Pell Grants.
ENERGY
INDEPENDENCE - LOWER GAS PRICES
Free America from dependence on foreign oil and create a cleaner environment
with initiatives for energy-efficient technologies and domestic alternatives
such as biofuels. End tax giveaways to Big Oil companies and enact tough
laws to stop price gouging.
AFFORDABLE
HEALTH CARE - LIFE-SAVING SCIENCE
Fix the Medicare prescription drug program, putting seniors first by negotiating
lower drug prices and ending wasteful giveaways to drug companies and
HMOs. Promote stem cell research that offers real hope to millions of
American families who suffer from devastating diseases.
RETIREMENT
SECURITY AND DIGNITY
Stop any plan to privatize Social Security, in whole or in part. Enact
real pension reform to protect employees' financial security from CEO
corruption and mismanagement, including abuse of the bankruptcy laws.
Expand personal savings incentives.
THE
WRONG DIRECTION
The
policies of the Bush Administration and the Congressional majority have
taken the country in the wrong direction, making us less secure and putting
the privileged few ahead of the common good.
WEAKENED
SECURITY
Failed to capture Osama Bin Laden or destroy al Qaeda; rushed to war in
Iraq on manipulated intelligence with no realistic plan to win the peace;
failed to provide strategy to stabilize Iraq or begin the responsible
redeployment of our troops; strained the U.S. military; wasted billions
on no-bid Halliburton and KBR contracts; failed to protect our borders,
ports, transportation systems, and chemical plants; received failing homeland
security grades from the nonpartisan 9/11 Commission; cut veterans' health
care.
RISING ECONOMIC INSECURITY
No minimum wage increase for 6.6 million Americans since 1997; real family
income down since 2001 as CEO compensation soared; support for subsidies
for outsourcing American jobs; $5.6 trillion budget surplus turned into
$3.2 trillion deficit; national debt doubled to $12 trillion by 2011.
RISING COLLEGE COSTS
$12 billion cut from college student aid; cost of loans increased; college
Pell Grants frozen as tuition soars - 57% at public universities and 32%
at private schools since 2000.
RISING
ENERGY PRICES
Gas over $3 per gallon; growing dependence on foreign oil; billions in
new subsidies for oil and gas companies despite record profits; blocked
efforts against price gouging; opposed energy efficient technology and
alternative fuels.
RISING
HEALTH CARE COSTS
Family health insurance costs up 70% ($4,500 per family) since 2000; 6
million more uninsured; confusing Rx drug benefit prohibits negotiating
lower drug prices; stem cell research obstructed.
RISING RETIREMENT INSECURITY
Promoting substantial privatization of Social Security and benefit cuts
for millions of retirees; employee pensions collapse while CEOs get golden
parachutes.
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