| WASHINGTON,
D.C. – U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today expressed her strong
support for the 2000 Democratic Families First Agenda aimed at improving
the quality of life for working families, children, and seniors.
Schakowsky joined Congressional Democrats and President Clinton at a news
conference to unveil the agenda.
Also
speaking at today’s event was Mr. Robert "Bob" Hatcher, Chairman of the
Minority Business Roundtable, and a successful Chicago businessman who
has seen his business grow because of the strong economy. Mr. Hatcher
is the CEO of Chicago Truck Center, Incorporated, which now employees 500
people and generates more than $700 million in revenues.
“Our
agenda mirrors the priorities of the American people: retirement security,
first rate education, economic prosperity and access to quality healthcare.
It is an ambitious plan that will help lead the way to a better future
for all people,” Schakowsky said.
Schakowsky
added, “My constituents tell me that they do not want a repeat of last
year when the Republicans stood in the way of progress and refused to come
to the negotiating table. The American people want us to work together
to extend the life of Social Security and Medicare, give our seniors access
to affordable drugs, and protect patients from HMO abuses. The President
and the Democrats in Congress are ready to get the job done. It is
now up to the Republicans to listen to the will of the people.”
Items
in the 2000 Democratic Families First Agenda include:
Investing
the surplus to strengthen Social Security and Medicare and pay down the
debt. The Democratic agenda guarantees that all of the Social Security
surplus will be used to extend the solvency of the program for at least
50 years; reserves a portion of the non Social Security surplus to extend
the solvency of Medicare; and pays off the national debt by 2013.
Protecting
and modernizing Medicare and provide an affordable prescription drug benefit
for all seniors. The Democratic agenda will extend the solvency of
Medicare until 2025, modernize the program, and add a voluntary universal
prescription drug benefit so that millions of seniors have access to affordable
drugs.
Passing
a real Patients’ Bill of Rights. Passing a Patients’ Bill of Rights
that lets medical professionals and patients make medical decisions not
HMO bureaucrats, and will hold HMO accountable for their actions.
Raising
the minimum wage, enforcing equal pay for women, and extending the economic
prosperity.
In
addition to the initiatives mentioned above, Schakowsky said that Democrats
would work to increase our national commitment to public education, environmental
protection, tax relief for working families and consumer privacy. |
