Pelosi, House Democrats Unveil Stronger America: A New American Security Agenda

Press Release

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD), Assistant Democratic Leader James E. Clyburn (D-SC), Democratic Caucus Chairman Xavier Becerra (D-CA), Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee Chairman Steve Israel (D-NY), Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL ), Congressman John Sarbanes (D-MD), Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-CA), Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-IL), Congressman Seth Moulton (D-MA), and Members of the House Democratic Caucus today unveiled House Democrats' Stronger America: A New American Security Agenda to secure our nation, our future, and our democracy.

"House Democrats are proudly fighting for a Stronger America, and a new American security," said Leader Pelosi. "With the bold, specific solutions of our Stronger America Agenda, we will honor the vows of our founders, the sacrifice of our men and women in uniform, and the aspirations of our children. Together, we will secure our nation, secure our future, and secure our democracy for all of America's hard-working families."

"Democrats are committed to building a Stronger America together by securing our nation, securing our future, and securing our democracy," said Whip Hoyer. "By doing so, we can ensure that all of our people can Make It In America and renew faith that Congress is on their side."

"The right to vote is basic to our democracy. Today, that right is under attack in states and communities all across the country. Without action by Congress, 2016 will be the first Presidential election in over half a century that Americans will not have the full protection of the Voting Rights Act," said Assistant Leader Clyburn. "Americans are also demanding comprehensive immigration reform. Democrats support commonsense legislation that does three simple things: secures our border, brings millions of workers out of the shadows, and keeps families together. Voting rights and comprehensive immigration reform are essential elements of the House Democrats' New American Security Agenda."

"My parents worked hard to get into the middle class and it helped that they could make a living wage, afford to send their kids to college, and count on their Social Security and their pensions at retirement," said Chairman Becerra. "That's the sort of security that today's construction and clerical workers -- like my parents -- should be able to count on, and we need a Congress that those Americans can count on as well."

"This is an agenda that puts people over politics and addresses the real fears and real aspirations of our diverse nation," said Congressman Luján. "United around a simple principle of building a Stronger America, Democrats understand the responsibility of governing and keeping people safe and secure, which stands in stark contrast to the dismal record of House Republicans -- defined by all that they have failed to do on behalf of the American people."

"Today House Democrats unveil a "Stronger America: a New American Security Agenda' to secure our nation, secure our future, and secure our democracy," said Congressman Israel. "We are going to echo these priorities in districts across America -- we are going to echo them with discipline, we are going to echo them with conviction, and we are going to echo them with vision."

"The last chapter of the American Dream is: if you work hard, you can retire with dignity," said Congresswoman Schakowsky. "Yet today, 86 percent of Americans say we face a retirement crisis. And they are right. Democrats stand strong in fighting for retirement security. That is why we are committed to protecting and expanding Social Security's earned benefits. We are also pushing for paycheck fairness because we know that when women earn 79 cents for every dollar paid to men that gap carries through to retirement. Democrats will ensure that the dream of a secure retirement is a reality for all Americans."

"Whether we want to create good jobs, strengthen our national security, make our health care system more affordable or protect the environment, we're blocked at every turn by moneyed interests that fight to put their agenda ahead of the needs of the American people," said Congressman Sarbanes. "That's why we need to restore our democracy to the way our Founders intended it to be --"Dependent on the people alone' -- with the "By the People' Legislative Package, as part of the Stronger America Agenda."

"Since founding Future Forum last year, I've visited with thousands of millennials across the nation to listen and learn about the issues most important to this largest and most diverse generation in U.S. history," said Congressman Swalwell. "They say they want 21st-century job training and relief from tremendous student loan debt, and a public infrastructure that will support a thriving economy for them and for future generations. We hear their call."

"With the Stronger America agenda, House Democrats are answering the call of the American people to protect the safety and security of our nation. No Fly, No Buy and the King-Thompson Background Check bills are two commonsense, bipartisan proposals to reduce gun violence that Democrats are committed to passing," said Congresswoman Kelly. "House Republicans have shirked their responsibility to address gun violence for far too long. It's time for them to do their jobs and get behind these bills, which will help create a safer, Stronger America."

"As a Marine who served multiple combat tours in Iraq fighting a war I wish we hadn't started, I know how important it is to make smart national security decisions," said Congressman Moulton. "As leaders, our core responsibility is to protect Americans -- a responsibility that has never been more urgent than it is today. We are proposing a tough and smart national security strategy that is focused on fighting global terrorism, and specifically on defeating ISIS. Not only will we invest in the very people tasked with these efforts, but we will also work in partnership with our allies in the Middle East to defeat terrorist networks, and protect our borders.

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