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Democratic Response to State of the Union AddressWashington, D.C. – This evening, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid will deliver the Democratic response to the State of the Union Address on the need to confront the urgent challenges facing our nation at home and abroad. Below are their remarks as prepared for delivery: Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid: “Good evening. I’m Harry Reid from “I was born and raised in the high “They loved their country, worshiped God, never shunned hard work, and never asked for special favors. My life has been very different from what I imagined growing up, but no matter how far I’ve traveled, Searchlight is still the place I go back to and still the place I call home. “A few weeks ago, I joined some friends of mine for a bite to eat at The Nugget – Searchlight’s only restaurant. We were sitting down in a booth, when a young boy, about ten years old, named “Carrying a skateboard under his arm, he said, ‘Senator Reid, when I grow up I want to be just like you.’ “Well, the truth is “He knows those things because they are born deep in all Americans. “In the coming year, I believe we can make sure “It’s important that we succeed. It’s time that “Too many of the President’s economic policies have left Americans and American companies struggling. And after we worked so hard to eliminate the deficit, his policies have added trillions to the debt - in effect, a ‘birth tax’ of $36,000 on every child that is born. “We Democrats have a different vision: Spurring research and development in new technologies to help create the jobs of the future. Rolling up our sleeves and fighting for today’s jobs by ending the special tax breaks that encourage big corporations to ship jobs overseas. A trade policy that enforces the rules of the road so that we play to win in the global marketplace instead of sitting by and getting played for fools. “After World War II, through the Marshall Plan, we rebuilt “This 21st century economy holds great promise for our people. But unless we give all Americans the skills they need to succeed, countries like “Health care costs have shot up double-digits year after year of the Bush Administration and that’s costing us jobs, costing us our competitiveness, and costing families their peace of mind. We need to make health care and prescription drugs affordable for all so that our families and our small businesses will no longer have to shoulder this dead weight. “Good, new jobs. World-class education. Affordable health care. These things matter. Unfortunately, much of what the President offered weren’t real answers. You know, today is Groundhog Day. And what we saw and heard tonight was a little like that movie, Groundhog Day. The same-old ideology that we’ve heard before – over and over again. We can do better. “I want you to know that when we believe the President is on the right track, we won't let partisan interests get in the way of what’s good for the country. We will be first in line to work with him. But when he gets off track, we will be there to hold him accountable. “And that’s why we so strongly disagree with the President’s plan to privatize Social Security. Let me share with you why I believe the President’s plan is so dangerous. There’s a lot we can do to improve American’s retirement security, but it’s wrong to replace the guaranteed benefit that Americans have earned with a guaranteed benefit cut of forty percent or more. Make no mistake, that’s exactly what President Bush is proposing. “The Bush plan would take our already record high $4.3 trillion national debt and put us another $2 trillion in the red. That’s an immoral burden to place on the backs of the next generation. “But maybe most of all, the Bush plan isn’t really Social Security reform. “It’s more like Social Security roulette. Democrats are all for giving Americans more of a say and more choices when it comes to their retirement savings. But that doesn't mean taking Social Security’s guarantee and gambling with it. And that’s coming from a Senator who represents “Sometimes important questions like Social Security or the economy or education get reduced to dollars and cents or competing policies and political parties. But really, these are questions that are about old-fashioned moral values that don’t get talked about much in “Even after the President’s speech, the American people are still asking these questions. You can be sure that Democrats will continue to offer real answers in the months ahead. “Now, I’d like to turn things over to my colleague, the great leader of House Democrats, Nancy Pelosi.”
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi: “Thank you, Senator Reid. “Throughout our nation's history, hope and optimism have defined the American spirit. With pride and determination, every generation has passed on a stronger “As House Democratic Leader, I want to speak with you this evening about an issue of grave concern – the national security of our country. “Any discussion of our national security must begin with recognition and respect for our men and women in uniform. Whether they are fighting in “I have seen that sacrifice up close. I've met with our troops in “Because of the courage of our servicemen and women and the determination of the Iraqi people, “We all know that the “Despite the best efforts of our troops and their Iraqi counterparts, “We have never heard a clear plan from this Administration for ending our presence in “First, responsibility for Iraqi security must be transferred to the Iraqis as soon as possible. This action is long overdue. The top priority for the “Second, “Third, regional diplomacy must be intensified. Diplomacy can lessen the political problems in “If these three steps are taken, the next elections in “Just as we must transfer greater responsibility to the Iraqi people for their own security, we must embrace a renewed commitment to our security here at home. It's been over three years since the attacks of September 11th. Our hopes and prayers will always be with the 9/11 families, who strengthen our resolve to win the war on terror. The pain and horror of that day will never be forgotten by any of us yet the gaps in our security exposed by those attacks remain. “Despite the Administration's rhetoric, airline cargo still goes uninspected, shipping containers go unscreened, and our railroads and power plants are not secure. Police officers and firefighters across “The greatest threats to our homeland security are the tons of biological, chemical, and even nuclear materials that are unaccounted for or unguarded. The President says the right words about the threat, but he has failed to take action commensurate with it. “We can and we must keep the world's most gruesome weapons out of the world's most dangerous hands. Nothing is more important to our homeland security, and indeed to the safety of the world. “For three years, the President has failed to put together a comprehensive plan to protect “As we strive to close the gaps in our security here at home, we must do more than show our strength as a nation, we must also show our greatness. “We must extend the hand of friendship to our neighbors in “We are called to do this and more by our faith and our common humanity, and also because these actions will enhance our national security. “Democrats are committed to a strong national security that keeps “In our New Partnership for America's Future, House Democrats have made a commitment to guarantee a military second to none; to stop the spread of weapons of mass destruction; to build strong diplomatic alliances; to collect timely and reliable intelligence to keep us safe at home; and to honor our veterans and their families by making sure they have the health care and benefits they have earned. “For those returning from military service – our newest veterans – Democrats are calling for a G.I. Bill of Rights for the 21st Century to guarantee access to education, health care and the opportunity for good jobs. “And we protect and defend the American people, we must also protect and defend our Constitution and the civil liberties contained therein. That is our oath of office. “A strong and secure “Thank you, good night, and may God continue to bless the |
“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ” Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi |
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