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.
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