WASHINGTON, Dec. 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 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
"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
"Instead of working with Democrats, the President is trying to prevent progress. Democrats will continue to take our country in a New Direction."
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
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
SOURCE Office of the Speaker of the House
