Which segues nicely into an opportunity to present music to soothe your Thursday afternoon soul:
Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives for the 112th Congress, is focused on strengthening America's middle class and creating jobs.
Consumer Protection
Democrats are working to protect the rights of America's consumers, and ensure that our families and children are safe from toxic toys, food, and drugs.
Economic Justice
Democrats are building an economic approach that lifts every American, not just the privileged few. The average American CEO earns more before lunchtime in one day than a minimum wage worker earns all year. This is not the America we want our children to grow up in.
The Economy and Jobs
Democrats stand up for economic growth plans that are fair, fast-acting, and fiscally responsible, providing opportunities for all Americans.
Education
Education is the cornerstone to building America's future. We must make a national commitment to education by strengthening our schools, investing in Head Start, fully funding special education, and modernizing our classrooms.
Energy Independence
American ingenuity can be put to work to achieve energy independence from Middle East oil in the next 10 years. America can develop emerging technologies to process homegrown alternative fuels.
The Environment
Democrats are fighting for cleaner air, cleaner water, and preservation of our natural resources, understanding that what we do today has an impact on future generations of Americans.
Fiscal Responsibility
The 111th Democratic-led Congress changed the way Washington works to save taxpayers billions and restore responsibility.
Health Care
Access to quality, affordable healthcare is critical to the well being of America, today and in the future.
Human Rights
As Americans we must protect human rights both at home and abroad—the right to live freely without the threat of violence or repression, the right to live with dignity and respect.
Immigration
The United States is a country made up of immigrants, and it is part of what makes us so strong and vibrant. And while immigration reform remains an unsolved challenge for our nation, we are committed to comprehensive reform.
Iraq and Afghanistan
The best way to support our troops – in Iraq and Afghanistan – is to ensure that their sacrifice on the ground is matched with a clear strategy for victory and with the resources to get the job done and come home safely.
Make It In America
Make it in America is a legislative initiative from House Democrats to revitalize manufacturing in America, create new good-paying jobs, and make our nation more secure.
Open Government
After years of the Abramoff scandal, special interests lobbyists writing legislation, and an explosion of earmarks, the New Direction Congress, the first Democratic majority in a dozen years, pledged to end an era of Congressional corruption and restore honest leadership and open government. And we took major steps to fulfill this promise.
Veterans
We have an obligation to care for and honor America’s servicemen and women, their families, and our veterans for their bravery and sacrifice. Democrats are keeping our promises to America’s veterans.
Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi Supporting Planned Parenthood and Women:From 2007 to 2011, Nancy Pelosi served as Speaker of the House, the first woman to do so in American history.
Under the leadership of Pelosi, the 111th Congress was heralded as "one of the most productive Congresses in history" by Congressional scholar Norman Ornstein. President Barack Obama stated, Speaker Pelosi “is an extraordinary leader for the American people" and the Christian Science Monitor wrote: “…make no mistake: Nancy Pelosi is the most powerful woman in American politics and the most powerful House Speaker since Sam Rayburn a half century ago.”
Major Legislation enacted by the 111th Congress under Speaker Pelosi:
● January 29, 2009: Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, Pub.L. 111-2
● February 4, 2009: Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (SCHIP),
● February 17, 2009: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)
● March 11, 2009: Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009
● March 30, 2009: Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009
● April 21, 2009: Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act
● May 20, 2009: Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act of 2009
● May 20, 2009: Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009
● May 22, 2009: Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act of 2009
● May 22, 2009: Credit CARD Act of 2009
● June 22, 2009: Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act
● June 24, 2009: Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2009 including the Car Allowance Rebate System (Cash for Clunkers)
● October 28, 2009: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010, including the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act
November 6, 2009: Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009
● December 16, 2009: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010
● February 12, 2010: Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act
● March 4, 2010: Travel Promotion Act of 2009
● March 18, 2010: Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act
● March 23, 2010: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
● March 30, 2010: Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, including the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act
● May 5, 2010: Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010
● July 1, 2010: Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010
● July 21, 2010: Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act
● August 3, 2010: Fair Sentencing Act of 2010
● August 10, 2010: SPEECH Act
● September 27, 2010: Small Business Jobs and Credit Act of 2010
● December 8, 2010: Claims Resolution Act of 2010
● December 13, 2010: Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010
● December 17, 2010: Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010
● December 22, 2010: Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010
● January 2, 2011: James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010
● January 4, 2011: Shark Conservation Act
● January 4, 2011: Food Safety and Modernization Act
Now Strong, caring, and effective leadership ... another reason I Vote For Democrats and why you should too.
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