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FIRST REPONDERS

The 9/11 commission said that the Administration has earned an F in the support for first responders.

First responders are on the front lines in helping communities prevent, prepare for, and respond to threats and emergencies. The federal government has a responsibility to recognize this sacrifice, and provide the support and resources necessary to safeguard the public. This includes modernizing equipment and communications systems, improving training, and helping communities maintain safe levels of first responders.

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• POVERTY
• ENERGY INDEPENDENCE BY 2020
• PROFILE IN COURAGE
• KENNEDY JOINS IN WALDEN WOODS DEDICATION
• IMMIGRATION REFORM
• FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

Agenda Spotlight

My agenda now and always has been to fight for America’s working families. Each month we will spotlight agenda items of interest to you based on your calls, e-mails and letters. To see the list of all of my positions on issues, click the Agenda link at the top of the page.

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  AMERICA BACK ON TRACK

  A newly revitalized American dream for a new America

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  Real Security for a Changing world

  Protecting America, Leading the World

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  End the Culture of Corruption

  Doing Right by America and ending the Culture of Corruption

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  Energy Independence 2020

  Creating a Cleaner, Greener and Stronger America

Issue Spotlight

Each month we will pick a set of issues to Spotlight based on your calls, e-mails and letters. To see the list of all of my positions on issues, click the Issues link at the top of the page.

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  HIV / AIDS

  The spread of AIDS is the greatest global health threat of our times. It’s a terrible disease that destroys lives, denies hope to individuals and families, and threatens the well-being of entire countries.

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  The War in Iraq

  Senator Kennedy has been a leader in the Congress against war with Iraq. Time and again, he has the first to point the way on the course for Iraq, and current events have proved him right all too often.

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  Fiscal Responsibility

  When he took office in 2001, President Bush inherited the largest budget surplus in the nation’s history. In a dramatic five-year turnaround, the administration has managed to squander the entire surplus and drive the country into record deficits. Strong fiscal discipline is central to economic growth, and the country can be fiscally responsible while at the same time upholding its values and priorities to help those Americans most in need.

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  Poverty

  While corporations and wealthy Americans are reaping the rewards of large tax breaks, budget cuts for many effective anti-poverty initiatives are clearly harming those most vulnerable in society. A true poverty-fighting agenda requires compassion and fairness for all Americans. This includes affordable housing, quality health care and education, and a commitment to raising the minimum wage. These are real policies that will help put the country on the path to eliminating poverty, and ensure every American who works hard has the capacity to succeed.

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  Minimum Wage

  Since its inception in 1938, the minimum wage has been increased over the years to adjust for inflation and enhance the purchasing power for low-income Americans. Currently at $5.15 an hour, the value of the minimum wage is at its lowest level since 1955. Raising the minimum wage has a broad beneficial impact on the U.S. economy, and allows millions of Americans to escape poverty and live a better quality of life.

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  Immigration Reform

  We must have a comprehensive fix to our nation’s immigration problem. Strong enforcement measures are critical to reforming immigration laws, but we cannot regain control of our borders by simply cracking down harder. True immigration reform must be realistic, with solutions that protect our borders, enable temporary workers to come here legally, and allow workers already here to earn legal status.