Reports
A Progress Report for Young Americans
09/03/2008
A NEW DIRECTION FOR YOUNG AMERICANS | ||||
Young Americans have spoken out loudly and clearly about the need for a new direction in America. Whether you are headed to college, into the workforce, or becoming parents, young Americans are focused on the future. Your voices are being heard. After years of neglect and inaction, solutions are needed. This Congress, under Democratic leadership for the first time in a dozen years, is making progress. | ||||
Passed By Congress | | Signed Into Law | ||
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MAKING COLLEGE MORE AFFORDABLE | ||||
Largest college aid expansion in six decades-since GI Bill helped soldiers returning from WWII | ||||
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Pell Grants increased by $500 | ||||
Loan forgiveness for public service | ||||
Paid for without passing cost on to future generations | ||||
Cleaning up scandals in student loan industry | ||||
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A new GI Bill for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan | ||||
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BETTER PAY, BETTER JOBS | ||||
Keeping America competitive in a global economy | ||||
First increase in the federal Minimum Wage in a decade | ||||
Innovation Agenda: Math/Science scholarships for students and teachers | ||||
Doubling research funding to create new American jobs | ||||
ACHIEVING ENERGY INDEPENDENCE | ||||
A dramatic shift to renewable American energy-creating green jobs, reducing costs, and reducing global warming | ||||
First new vehicle efficiency standards in 32 years, 35 mpg by 2025 | ||||
Historic expansion of American biofuels | ||||
Renewable energy tax incentives to create hundreds of thousands of green jobs | ||||
Lower transit fares and energy-efficient Amtrak | ||||
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PROTECTING AMERICA | ||||
Iraq had no relation to 9/11, or any imminent threat to the U.S. | ||||
Rebuilding military readiness, reducing strain on troops with requirements to rotate home and train (House only) | ||||
More mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles and body armor | ||||
Responsibly redeploy troops out of Iraq | VETOED | |||
Refocusing the fight against terrorism to Al Qaeda & Afghanistan | ||||
It took a new Congress to finally make recommendations of the bipartisan, independent 9/11 Commission become law | ||||
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IMPROVING HEALTH CARE | ||||
Working for affordable, accessible, quality care for Americans | ||||
Health care coverage for 10 million children (SCHIP program) | VETOED | |||
Largest veterans' health care funding increase in history - 70% of those serving in Iraq are under the age of 30 | ||||
Expanding medical research to unlock promise of stem cell therapies | VETOED | |||
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