Happy Holidays
Tuesday December 19, 2006
As we get ready to celebrate this holiday season, I wanted to thank you once again for helping us to take our country back. We Democrats have been busy since America voted for a New Direction on November 7th.
Since then, we have announced new budget proposals, outlined our plan to implement all of the key recommendation of the 9/11 Commission, discussed outside enforcement of ethical standards in Congress, and highlighted a bipartisan plan to strengthen the Page Board to protect the young people in the Congressional Page Program.
The American people voted for a Congress that will make them safer, make our economy fairer, make our Congress more honest, and build a better future for all of America’s children. And in January, we will move forward to deliver on that mandate within our first 100 legislative hours.
Our agenda remains the same:
- Draining the swamp – breaking the link between lobbyists and legislation, bring civility to the legislative debate, and committing to pay-as-you-go budgeting;
- Making America more secure – implementing the independent 9/11 Commission recommendations; Giving Americans a raise – increasing the minimum wage;
- Making college more affordable – cutting the interest rate in half on federally subsidized student loans;
- Making health care more affordable – negotiating for lower prescription drug prices;
- Beginning on a path to energy independence – ending subsidies for Big Oil and investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency; and
- Giving hope to families with devastating diseases – allowing stem cell research.
Over the last year, your energy and dedication gave us a great gift: the chance to get our country back on track and to change it for the better. I’m excited about all that we have accomplished – and I’m even more excited about taking on the challenges ahead of us. With your help, I know there isn’t anything we can’t accomplish.
Wishing you all the best this holiday season and in the coming year.