SIX FOR
'06
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. |