9/11 Commission Recommendations

The first order of business for the New Direction Congress, making America safer, was passage of H.R. 1, finally implementing the recommendations of the independent 9/11 Commission. While the Administration's own National Intelligence Estimate conceded the war in Iraq made us less safe from terrorism, the 9/11 legislation was the long overdue, smart approach to ensuring homeland security.

Nearly six years after the terrorist attacks of September 11th, the recommendations of the bipartisan report were passed by the New Direction Congress and signed into law:

	requiring 100% screening of air cargo;
	requiring 100% screening of cargo containers before they reach U.S. soil;
	basing anti-terrorism funding to cities and states on risk, not political boundaries;
	improving emergency communications among first responders;
	strengthening information sharing with local law enforcement to help prevent potential terrorist attacks; and
	taking aggressive steps to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction.

Largest Veterans' Health Care Funding Increase In History

The House and Senate have passed the largest single increase in funding for veterans' health care in the 77-year history of the Veterans Administration. The historic investment exceeded the President's request and adds to the $5.2 billion for veterans added by the new Congress earlier this year to strengthen health care for more than five million veterans. Our Wounded Warriors Act sets forth a series of improvements in care as well.

The legislation is strongly supported by the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled Veterans of America, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Military Officers Association of America, AMVETS and other groups, who have labeled the effort 'a major victory' and an 'impressive commitment' to our veterans:

	making critical investments for our wounded troops coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan, improving conditions such as those uncovered at Walter Reed and in other Congressional oversight;
	focusing on those veterans returning with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury;
	reducing the huge backlog of veterans' claims for benefits;
	providing needed maintenance of VA health care facilities; and
	preventing the President's proposed fee increases from hitting veterans.

Energy Security And Reducing Global Warming

A major shift in our nation's energy policy has begun. Energy Security is a strong bipartisan effort. Our initiative makes the largest investment in homegrown biofuels in American history, repeals billions of dollars in unnecessary taxpayer subsidies to Big Oil earning record profits, and requires that 15 percent of our electricity come from renewable
sources.

	reducing the dependence on foreign oil that threatens our national security;
	creating good new jobs that are home-grown and American-owned, fueled by farms across the country and American innovation, and including a Green Jobs initiative to train a quality workforce in new energy technologies;
	lowering energy costs for consumers by more than $300 billion through 2030, with landmark efficiency reforms for homes, appliances, and industry;
	creating tax incentives for Hybrids, not Hummers;
	reducing dangerous heat-trapping gases by an estimated 40 percent of what is needed by 2030 to save the planet; requiring the federal government to be carbon-neutral by 2050, and the Capitol to be carbon-neutral by the end of 2008; and
	making the U.S. a leader on a binding global warming agreement, with commitments from all the major emitters.

Holding The Administration Accountable For The War In Iraq

Our men and women in uniform have performed their duties with courage, patriotism, and success. But after nearly five years of war, the American people know the cost has been too high: to life and limb, to our reputation in the world, to our military readiness, and to American taxpayers.

This war has not made the American people safer, our military stronger, or the region more stable. We must responsibly redeploy our troops so we can refocus on the real war on terrorism and rebuild our military readiness.

This New Direction Congress has changed the debate, making the Bush Administration more accountable for the execution of the war, and the Iraqi government more responsible for its own future. We have instituted vigorous oversight, uncovering tens of billions of dollars in waste, fraud, and abuse in spending in Iraq by companies like Blackwater and Halliburton. We believe the current policy in Iraq has failed and will only change when the President's allies in Congress hear the voices of the American people.

The 110th Congress has a clear mandate from the American people to work for a responsible redeployment of U.S. troops out of Iraq. Congressional oversight and legislative pressure have changed the debate in Washington:

	requiring reporting from the Administration on the conduct of the war in Iraq, both militarily and in establishing a stable Iraqi government;
	supporting troops and military families with new funding for Mine-Resistant Armor Protected vehicles (MRAP) and addressing inadequate health care for our returning veterans
	banning permanent American military bases in Iraq; and
	meeting equipment shortfall needs of the Army National Guard, strained in its domestic mission from heavy deployment to Iraq.

A series of measures have won passage in the House, but have been rejected by the President and his allies in Congress who help sustain vetoes. The President has rejected:

	setting a responsible timeline for phased redeployment of American troops; and
	enhancing national security and military readiness-as well as quality of life for military families-by requiring regular rotations out of combat zones and back home for rest and training.

"In our first year, we are taking our country in a New Direction worthy of the sacrifice of our troops, the vision of our Founding Fathers, and the aspirations of our children."
- Speaker Nancy Pelosi, November 1, 2007

Back to Issuues/Moving America in a New Direction page