DEMOCRATS' RECORD OF FAILURE: Economy, Workers, & Families

In their first 100 days, House Democrats have compiled a dubious record of failure on behalf of American workers and families, undermining strong economic growth and new job creation. They’ve failed to propose a balanced budget that doesn’t raise taxes on middle class families and small businesses. They’ve failed to protect workers’ rights by approving a massive payback for union bosses that exposes workers to intimidation and retribution. And they’ve failed to provide college cost relief for students and families struggling to afford a higher education.

And while Democrats ignored the unintended consequences of raising the minimum wage in their “Six for ‘06” rush, House Republicans managed to force Democrats to pass a bill providing tax relief for small businesses, blunting the increased costs that eliminate job opportunities and benefits for American workers.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT DEMOCRATS’ FAILURES ON BEHALF OF WORKERS & FAMILIES

House Democrats’ budget proposal (H.Con.Res. 99) saddles middle class families and small businesses with the largest tax hike in history, just days before they file their taxes:

“Assuming tax cuts go away is a key to House plan for boosting domestic spending”
- Associated Press Headline, March 21, 2007

“Personal and business income tax rates will climb. Capital gains taxes will go up. The death tax will have new life. The marriage penalty will once more punish husbands and wives. Child tax credits won’t continue. And the AMT (alternative minimum tax) will hit more and more middle-income workers. ... What will the average American family get after it starts paying this extra $2,641 each year? The revenue is being treated as a spending windfall -- enabling a $3.3 trillion spree of new and expanded government programs during the next 10 years. The goal of balancing the budget takes a back seat.”
- Former Representative Ernest Istook, Washington Post, April 11, 2007

House Democrats’ big payback to Big Labor (H.R. 800) was lambasted by writers and editorial boards across the country:

“There’s no love for freedom in the legislation now moving to the House floor. ... Abuses of workers’ true wishes not only are potential, they are guaranteed. There is no ‘free choice’ in this travesty, clearly a payoff to union leaders who contributed so handsomely to the Democrats’ November election victory.”
- “Democrats: Keep Secret Ballot Sacred,” San Francisco Examiner Editorial, February 16, 2007

“[T]he bedrock of federal labor law is not unionism under any conditions, but the right of workers to choose whether they want to affiliate with a union. ... Unions once supported the secret ballot for organization elections. They were right then and are wrong now. Unions have every right to a fair hearing, and the National Labor Relations Board should be more vigilant about attempts by employers to game the system. In the end, however, whether to unionize is up to the workers. A secret ballot ensures that their choice will be a free one.”
- “Keep Union Ballots Secret,” Los Angeles Times Editorial, March 1, 2007

“Union leaders and the Democrats … ought to explain why they are so afraid of secret ballots.”
- “Target: Workers’ Secret Ballot,” Grand Rapids Press Editorial, February 5, 2007

Further endangering America’s 21st century economy is the Democrats’ student loan bill (H.R. 5), which does nothing to help students and families struggling with college costs:

“‘It’s a great sound bite – cutting rates in half,’ says Mark Kantrowitz, the publisher of FinAid.org, which gives information about ways to pay for college. ‘But it’s an incredibly expensive proposal with very little student aid benefit.’ … ‘The benefit,’ Mr. Kantrowitz notes, ‘comes after students have graduated, which makes it unlikely to get more low-income students to enroll in college, especially since they tend to fear debt more.’”
- “Congress Moves to Cut College Loan Costs,” Christian Science Monitor, January 16, 2007

“‘The question is, what are you achieving by cutting the interest rate?’ asked Jamie P. Merisotis, president of the Institute for Higher Education Policy. ’You are not encouraging any more students to go to college because you’re cutting the interest rate on loans that students have already taken out.’”
- “Democrats’ Plan to Slash the Interest Rate for Student Loans Draws Criticism From Unlikely Sources,” Chronicle of Higher Education, January 5, 2007

REPUBLICANS AIM TO STRENGTHEN U.S. ECONOMY, PROTECT AMERICAN WORKERS & FAMILIES

House Republicans believe we can balance the federal budget without raising taxes. Raising taxes won’t help balance the budget, it will simply punish working families and slow the economic growth that continues to create the new jobs of tomorrow. Republicans have a budget proposal that balances the budget by keeping taxes low, promoting economic growth, and putting an end to the excessive waste, fraud and abuse within the federal government. We also took the first important steps in reforming America’s biggest entitlement programs – which Democrats have completely ignored.

We must also make sure that American workers can join a union without exposing them to harassment and intimidation from union bosses or employers. At the same time, Republicans believe the wishes of American citizens should not be trumped by the desires of those here illegally. Democrats disagreed, and uniformly opposed a proposal by House Republicans prohibiting illegal immigrants from working with union bosses to establish a union against the wishes of workers who are American citizens.

Because a strong economy requires an educated workforce, Republicans believe college graduates should not receive extra benefits at the expense of those struggling just to get into college. A GOP proposal blocked by Democrats would have benefited students and their families by redirecting dollars toward need-based aid, such as Pell Grants.

Republican tax relief will help blunt the unintended consequences of raising the minimum wage, but we need to do more to protect jobs for low-income workers and provide relief for small businesses.

In their first 100 days, House Democrats have failed American workers and families, and demonstrated their disregard for pro-growth, pro-jobs policies that will help expand our economy.