Congress Finishes Strong
Congress Finishes Strong
Congress has been committed to getting the work of the American people done. I'm happy to report we're making progress.
On issue after issue, Congress passed legislation to improve our quality of life and standard for living.
Tax Relief - Tax relief continues to create more jobs. The unemployment rate is now 5.4%, down almost a full point since June, 2003. We have added 2.4 million jobs in the past 13 months, including 337,000 in October.
Prescription Drugs - The historic Medicare prescription drug benefit took effect June 1. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, cardholders will receive discounts between 10% and 25% on their prescription costs.
The War on Terror - Our nation has prevented another massive terrorist attack and is dismantling the international terrorist network. The American people are safer with a stable and secure Iraq. In January, the Iraqi people will elect a national assembly, which will draft a new constitution to prepare the way for the election of a permanent Iraqi government.
Values - President Bush signed my bill to provide prosecutors with the tools they need to win convictions against child pornographers. Children are the most vulnerable among us, and their vulnerability increases when child pornographers are free to roam the Internet. I strongly believe Congress must do everything within its power to protect children from sexual predators.
Education - Funding for the No Child Left Behind law for next year will be $37 billion, a 49 percent increase since 2001. Results are expected in return for his investment. The broken system that shuffled children from grade to grade, even when they were not learning the basics, is gone. The law requires regular testing and extra help for children who need it. Our schools will be held accountable for the education of every child.
High Tech - A 4-year ban on Internet taxes is expected to be signed by President Bush soon. The case for a tax-free Internet has never been stronger. With 200 million Americans online, a new tax on access would be a tax on working families. New taxes can only slow our economy, job growth, productivity, and prosperity.
Jobs - For the first time in 50 years labor regulations have been reformed. A new overtime law called FairPlay makes 7 million more Americans eligible for overtime. For more information on what FairPlay means to you and your family, please visit the Department of Labor's website at www.dol.gov.
Environment - The Healthy Forests Restoration Act equips Federal land managers with the additional tools they need to restore forest s, safeguard habitat and watersheds, and protect lives and communities.
America will be a safer, more prosperous and healthier nation because of legislation passed by Congress over the last two years.