Pelosi: Democrats Are Putting Forth a New Direction to Make Our Country Safer and Our Economy Fairer for All Americans

Pelosi: ‘Democrats Are Putting Forth a New Direction to Make Our Country Safer and Our Economy Fairer for All Americans

Contact: Brendan Daly/Jennifer Crider

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and other House Democratic leaders were joined by Dr. William Spriggs, who served in the Clinton Administration and is now Chair of the Economics Department at Howard University, at a press stakeout this morning after the Democratic Caucus meeting to discuss a New Direction for America, which includes strong national security and economic security for all Americans. Below are Pelosi's remarks:

"Thank you, Mr Chairman. This morning, we had an important meeting on our national security, where Democrats are united with tough and smart national security policies to keep the American people safe.

"Accompanying that is the personal economic security of America's families. It was clear from the documentation that Professor Spriggs gave us that it is time for a new direction in America. Household income and purchasing power is decreasing. The top 5 percent of Americans have a good deal going with the Bush Administration, but if you are in the category of 95 percent of the American people, you need a new direction.

"Democrats are putting forth a New Direction for America that makes our country safer and makes our economy fairer for all Americans. We will raise the minimum wage, remove incentives to send jobs overseas, increase affordable health care, increase acceess to college for America's children, and protect retirement security and Social Security.

"This Administration has made it clear that should the Republicans retain control of the Congress come November, their first order of business will once again be to privatize Social Security. Democrats will continue the fight for a dignified retirement for America's seniors by preserving Social Secuity and by protecting pensions.

"I want to join our Chairman in thanking Professor Spriggs for his excellent presentation on what is happening with rising food costs, housing costs, and health care costs, while household incomes remain stagnant.

"We need a new direction; Democrats are prepared to take the country there."

http://democraticleader.house.gov/press/articles.cfm?pressReleaseID=1810