Democrats in Congress believe that America needs a New Direction. 

We support policies that provide opportunity, security and prosperity for all Americans.
Instead of trying to score political points with divisive issues, Democrats believe Congress should focus on the real challenges facing the American people – high health care costs, college affordability, rising gas and energy prices, retirement security, and stagnant wages. Democrats also make homeland security and support for our veterans and military personnel a real priority, not just a talking point. And we will bring honest leadership and open government back to Congress.

Democrats in Congress offer a New Direction for America, putting the common good of all Americans first for a change.  Here are the priorities of our legislative agenda for the 109th Congress:

PROVIDE REAL SECURITY

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 U.S. 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 staff, train, and equip our National Guard and our police, firefighters and other first responders. Honor our commitments to our veterans.

MAKE HEALTH CARE MORE AFFORDABLE 

Fix the prescription drug program by putting people ahead of drug companies and HMOs, eliminating wasteful subsidies, negotiating lower drug prices and ensuring the program works for all seniors; invest in stem cell and other medical research.

LOWER GAS PRICES AND ACHIEVE ENERGY INDEPENDENCE

Crack down on price gouging; eliminate billions in subsidies for oil and gas companies and use the savings to provide consumer relief and develop American alternatives, including biofuels; promote energy efficient technology.

PROMOTE RETIREMENT SECURITY AND DIGNITY

Prevent the privatization of Social Security; expand savings incentives; ensure pension fairness.

HELP WORKING FAMILIES

Raise the minimum wage; repeal tax giveaways that encourage companies to move jobs overseas.

CUT COLLEGE COSTS AND EXPAND ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION

Make college tuition deductible from taxes; expand Pell grants and cut student loan costs.

REQUIRE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

Restore the budget discipline of the 1990s that helped eliminate deficits and spur record economic growth.

I believe we must pursue this legislative agenda because like the majority of Americans, I am concerned that our great nation is headed in THE WRONG DIRECTION.

The Bush Administration and the Republican Majority in Congress have taken the country in the wrong direction, making Americans less secure and putting the privileged few ahead of the common good.  

RISING HEALTH CARE COSTS

Under this Administration, the cost of family health insurance has risen more than 70%, or an average of $4,500 per family, and 6 million more Americans are uninsured. Meanwhile, the Majority has enacted a confusing and costly prescription drug benefit that prohibits Medicare from negotiating lower drug prices, has cut funding for medical research, and has prohibited federal funding of a real stem cell research program.

RISING ENERGY PRICES

Gas prices have nearly doubled and exceed $3.00 per gallon in many places, and dependence on foreign oil increased to 60%. Meanwhile, the Republican Majority has blocked efforts to ban price gouging, rewarded oil and gas companies with billions in new subsidies at a time of record profits, and opposed investments in alternative fuels and energy efficient technology.

RISING ECONOMIC INSECURITY

Real family income has fallen every year of the Bush Administration, while CEO compensation has soared. Meanwhile, the Majority has blocked any increase in the minimum wage for 7.5 million workers, while providing billions in corporate tax subsidies that encourage sending jobs overseas.

RISING COLLEGE COSTS

Tuition has increased by $2,000 (57%) at public universities and by $5,000 (32%) at private universities since the 2000-2001 school year. Meanwhile, the Majority has cut $12 billion from college student aid, increasing the costs of loans; has frozen Pell Grants for higher education; and has failed to extend the college tuition tax deduction.

RISING RETIREMENT INSECURITY

The Majority has fought to privatize Social Security, which would have cut benefits for the middle class and added trillions to our debt, and failed to protect workers’ pensions while CEOs receive hundred-million dollar retirement packages.