Press Releases

Pelosi: ‘Instead of Working with Democrats, President Bush Trying to Prevent Progress’

Washington, D.C.— Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement today in response to President Bush’s remarks at the White House this morning:

“Democrats want to work with the President, yet he continues to engage in the same tired rhetoric that does not serve the best interests of the American people. 

“Democrats are hard at work on a sweeping new energy policy, tax relief for middle-class Americans, and bringing our troops home from Iraq.  As always, we will accomplish our goals in a bipartisan and fiscally responsible way. 

“The House already passed AMT legislation this year, to provide tax relief to 23 million middle-class Americans.  Despite veto threats from the President and obstruction from Senate Republicans on this critical measure, we are confident that we will send legislation to the White House soon.

“Democrats are committed to giving our troops everything they need to do their jobs.  House Democrats have passed a bill that provides our troops with both $50 billion in funding and a strategy to bring them home safely and soon.  But it is being blocked from going to the President by his Republican allies in the Senate.

“House Democrats passed a FISA bill that, unlike the President’s proposal, protects Americans while protecting their constitutional rights.  Congress will work its will and send legislation to the President soon. 

“Democrats’ adherence to pay-as-you-go, no new deficit spending stands in stark contrast to the President’s record: turning a $5.6 trillion surplus into a $2.4 trillion deficit – the largest turnaround in our nation’s history. 

“Instead of working with Democrats, the President is trying to prevent progress.  Democrats will continue to take our country in a New Direction.”

*  *  *

FACT SHEET

December 3, 2007

FACT CHECK: THE PRESIDENT’S REMARKS TODAY

 On Iraq – 

PRESIDENT BUSH:

“Congress needs to start by passing a bill to fund our troops in combat.” [12/3/07]

FACT:

In November, House Democrats passed a bill to fund our troops in combat – but, in accordance with the wishes of the American people, refused to give the President a blank check. Specifically, House Democrats passed a bill that provides our troops with $50 billion and a strategy that brings them home.  The President’s Republican allies in the Senate are blocking that funding for our troops because it is tied to a strategy that winds down the war and holds the Bush Administration accountable. In fact, all the President needs to do to ensure the funding gets to our troops in a timely fashion is call Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and tell him to stop blocking the bill from a vote. [New York Times, 11/15/07; Reuters, 11/17/07]

On FISA – 

PRESIDENT BUSH:

“Congress needs to make sure our intelligence professionals can continue to monitor terrorist communications. In August, Congress passed legislation to help modernize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act… The problem is, the new law expires on February 1st – while the threat from the terrorists does not expire.” [12/3/07]

FACT:

On November 15th, the House passed the RESTORE Act (H.R. 3773) which updates the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to  give the intelligence community the strong tools it needs to track terrorists and prevent another terrorist attack, while protecting the constitutional rights of Americans whose communications may be intercepted in the process.  It protects both national security and constitutional rights and reaffirms our Constitutional system of checks and balances. [New York Times, 11/16/07] The Senate is working on this bill and Congress will send it to the president’s desk before the current law expires.

On Tax Reform for American Families –

PRESIDENT BUSH:

“Congress needs to act immediately to prevent the Alternative Minimum Tax from hitting more Americans this year.” [12/3/07]

FACT:

On November 9th, the House passed the Temporary Tax Relief Act (H.R. 3996) to provide AMT relief to millions of middle-class American families and extends a number of popular tax provisions that were set to expire this year. The bill also includes an increased refundable child credit and a deduction for property taxes paid by homeowners. [CNN Money, 11/9/07] The President has threatened to veto this AMT tax relief, arguing that this measure does not need to be paid for – heaping even more debt on the back of our children and grandchildren. The Senate is working on this bill and Congress will send legislation to the president’s desk. 

On Appropriations Bills –

PRESIDENT BUSH:

“One of Congress's most basic duties is to fund the day-to-day operations of the federal government. Yet only one of the 12 spending bills has made it into law.” [12/3/07]

FACT:

The House has passed all twelve appropriations bills – from Agriculture to Transportation – in the context of a five-year congressional balanced budget plan. Instead of working with Congress, President Bush continues to veto and threaten to veto bipartisan legislation that meets our nation’s priorities. [Letter to President Bush, 11/10/07]


Learn More About:

•         The Responsible Redeployment Appropriations Act (Iraq)

•           The RESTORE Act (FISA)

•           Temporary Taxpayer Relief Act

•           The President’s threats to veto House and Senate-passed
appropriations bills

del.icio.us   Digg this

Pelosi Statement on the Passing of Congressman John Murtha 02/08/2010

Pelosi Statement on President’s Call to Hold Bipartisan Discussion on Health Insurance Reform 02/07/2010

Pelosi Statement on January Jobs Report 02/05/2010

Pelosi Remarks Before Meeting with Gianfranco Fini, President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies 02/04/2010

Pelosi Statement on House Passage of Bipartisan Cybersecurity Enhancement Act 02/04/2010