• Parties Announce Legislative Priorities for 109th Congress
• Republican Top Ten
• Democratic Top Ten

Parties Announce Legislative Priorities for 109th Congress

Both the Republican and Democratic leadership in the U.S. Senate released their “top ten” lists of priority issues and legislation for the upcoming session this week. Because the number in each party is so close – 55 Republicans, 44 Democrats and one Independent – expect a lot of conflict and compromise on all of these issues. Below are each group’s top ten list, along with several of the provisions included in each issue.

Republican Top Ten

1: Social Security strengthen and secure Social Security for our children and grandchildren continue our commitment to protect promised benefits for today’s seniors; give younger workers the opportunity to place some of their own earnings in a voluntary personal retirement account 2: Tax Reform simplify the tax code to provide a more progressive and competitive tax structure 3: Fighting the War on Terror increase biopreparedness expand military survivor benefits homeland security technology improvement anti-terrorism enhancements 4: Healthy America make tax-free, portable Health Savings Accounts available to all Americans reduce prescription drug costs by increasing access to more affordable generic drugs provide seniors access to affordable prescription drug coverage increase transparency and price competition in the Medicare program expand neighborhood community health centers devote new resources to rural and safety net health care providers protect children’s access to health care 5: Class Action Reform 6: Marriage, Opportunity, Relief and Empowerment, (MORE) make permanent the provisions of the 2001 tax bill relating to families and children, and the marriage penalty welfare reform spur charitable giving and assist faith-based organizations who serve the needy 7: Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Package make permanent the current individual income tax rates, the lower tax rate on most dividends, the reduced long-term capital gains tax rate, and the permanent repeal of the death tax 8: Child Custody Protection Act make it a federal offense to transport a minor across state lines to obtain an abortion 9: Opportunities through Education Act setting high expectations and raising achievement for all students. improving accountability for results providing flexibility for States to manage Federal program dollars most effectively supporting a lifetime of learning opportunities for students at all stages in life 10: Keeping America Competitive and Secure through Energy Independence address our Nation’s energy needs bring us closer to the goal of having a secure, reliable, and affordable supply of energy in the years to come

Democratic Top Ten

1: Standing With Our Troops work to increase military end strength by up to 40,000 by 2007. • create a Guard and Reserve Bill of Rights 2: Targeting the Terrorists More Effectively increase Special Operations forces by 2,000 enhance efforts against enemies by targeting the institutions that spawn new terrorists expand the pace and scope of weapons programs to eliminate and safeguard nuclear materials 3: Fulfilling Our Duty to America’s Veterans ensure that all veterans get health care, expand the availability and accessibility of mental health care a 21st Century GI Bill 4: Expanding Economic Opportunity fight to restore overtime protection to 6 million workers increase the minimum wage for 7.4 million workers eliminate tax incentives for companies that take jobs overseas, create new jobs through an expansion of infrastructure programs 5: Quality Education for All increase support for pre-school education create tuition incentives for college students to major in math, science and special education teaching provide relief from college tuition 6: Making Health Care More Affordable make prescription drugs more affordable through the legalization of prescription drug reimportation monitor drugs after they are approved for use. ensure that all children and pregnant women will have health care and protect Medicaid offer tax credits to reduce the growing cost of health care to small businesses 7: Democracy Begins at Home reform the voting system to create Federal standards for our elections 8: Meeting Our Responsibility to Medicare Beneficiaries improve the prescription drug benefit buy down the Part B premium so premium increases are not too steep ensure that no seniors are forced into HMOs while helping seniors in their transition to the new benefit 9: Fiscal Responsibility for a Sound Future impose fiscal discipline strengthen budgeting rules that require the government to live within its means. 10: Putting Prevention First increase access to family planning services improve contraceptive coverage increase funding for family planning