The Democratic Record on Real Security
Vs.
The Bush Republican Record of
Dangerous Incompetence

Recently, Karl Rove explained how Republicans approach homeland security as essentially a political issue. Unfortunately for Mr. Rove, the Republican record on security doesn't support his political rhetoric. Time and again, it's the Democratic Party that has proven to be the party that has learned the lessons of 9/11. Democrats' legislative priorities have been shaped by the recognition that the fundamental issue facing the country today is the need to bolster America's real security. Bush Republicans have displayed a dangerous incompetence. America can do better.

The Democratic Record on Military & Veterans' Issues

Democrats Are Fighting to Make Sure Our Troops are Fully Equipped. Democrats have sought to ensure that our troops were fully equipped for the war in Iraq. For example, because of Democratic efforts, the 2003 Iraqi supplemental included more funds for HUMVEEs, body armor, and jammers to prevent the detonation of explosive devises. Democrats offered amendments to shift $322 million from reconstruction to safety equipment for U.S. troops in Iraq (Sen. Dodd) and to shift $4.6 billion from Iraqi reconstruction to support and safety for our troops including critical funding for repairing and replacing the critical equipment for combat in Iraq (Rep. Obey).

• Bush Republicans Have Blocked Every Step Along the Way. Both of these efforts were rejected by Republicans. [RC 376, S.Amdt. 1817 to S. 1689, 49-37, 10/2/03; H.R. 3289, House Vote #547, 10/16/03.] Rejected 209-216]
• The Bush Record of Dangerous Incompetence: Failed to Fully Equip and Protect Our Soldiers. After three years at war in Iraq, thousands of Army and Marine Corps personnel still do not have adequate body armor or sufficient armor for their military transport vehicles. For example, about half of the Army's 20,000 Humvees have improvised shielding that typically leaves the underside vulnerable to remotely detonated bombs. An untold number of soldiers and their families have been force to purchase body armor - to ensure they had necessary protection when in Iraq -- so many in fact that Congress passed a law requiring the DoD to reimburse soldiers for these items. And equipment problems are more severe for the National Guard and Reserve. In 2005, the Army Reserve reported it had only about 76 percent of the equipment it requires, with as much as 44 percent of its equipment needing servicing. [GAO, "An Integrated Plan is Needed to Address Army Reserve Personnel and Equipment Shortages." Rpt # GAO-05-660, 7/12/05] A Pentagon study suggests 80 percent of Marine fatalities caused by bullet wounds to the torso were likely preventable. [New York Times, 1/6/06] Our soldiers and their families have paid a price for the Bush Administration's lack of preparedness.
• The Bush Record of Dangerous Incompetence: Army Stretched Too Thin. Another cost of the Bush Administration's failure to plan properly for the war in Iraq is that the Army has been stretched by frequent troop rotations. Many units are on their second or even third tour in Iraq or Afghanistan without adequate time in rotation at home to rest and recuperate. At least 40 percent of deployed personnel are from the Guard and Reserve. Nearly all of the available combat units in the U.S. Army, Army National Guard, and Marine Corps have been used in Iraq and Afghanistan. Before the war started, Eric Shinseki, Chief of Staff for the Army, stated "Something on the order of several hundred thousand soldiers are probably, you know, a figure that would be required." [Testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee, 2/25/2003] A recent report prepared for the Pentagon concluded that the Army has become a "thin green line" that could snap unless relief comes soon. [Report by Andrew Krepinevich, Thin Green Line, 1/06]
• The Bush Record of Dangerous Incompetence: Cuts National Guard by 17,000. Despite recent reports of the tremendous strain that the Iraq and Afghanistan War have placed on our troops, the President's budget fails to fund the force size authorized by law. The budget would fund 17,100 fewer Army National Guard and 5,000 fewer Army Reserves than are authorized by law. The National Guard is a cost-effective, capable combat force in the war on terror and an essential state partner in responding to domestic disasters and emergencies. As the National Guard Association stated, "the very idea that a reduction in strength of reserve components so fully involved in current operations and projected as the linchpin for future operations, both overseas and in the defense and security of the homeland, is ludicrous." [Letter to Senator John Warner, 12/12/05]

Democrats Succeeded in Requiring the Defense Department to Reimburse Service Members for the Cost of Protective, Safety or Health Equipment Purchased by Them or their Families. [RC 112, S.Amdt. 3312 to S.2400, 91-0, 6/14/04] More recently, Democrats succeeded in providing an additional $213 million to the army for the procurement of up-armored high mobility multipurpose-wheeled vehicles, known as Humvees. [RC 108, S.Amdt. 520 to S. 1268, 61-39, 4/21/05]

Democrats Are Fighting to Make Health Care Accessible and Affordable for Our Veterans. The war has produced a greater need for veterans' health care. As of December 2005, VA had treated more than 144,000 of the 505,366 veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. [VA, 2/14/06] In 2003, Democrats prevented huge cuts approved by House Republicans. In 2004, we succeeded in forcing a $1 billion increase over the President's request. In 2005, Democrats called for an additional $3 billion over the President's budget and forced the Bush Administration to acknowledge that it had failed to budget for returning veterans. [HRes 95, Vote #82, 3/17/2005; Failed 180-242; R 3-218; D 176-24; I 1-0]

• Bush Republicans Rejected Democratic Efforts on Veterans' Health Care
  • Senate Republicans rejected a Democratic amendment to make veterans health care funding mandatory to ensure that the growing health care needs of America's veterans are met. [RC 63, S.Amdt. 3141 to S.Con.Res. 83, 45-55, 3/16/06]
  • Senate Republicans also rejected a Democratic amendment to add $1.5 billion for VA health care and reject increased fees and copayments for veterans. [RC 41, S.Amdt. 3007 to S.Con.Res. 83, 46-54, 3/14/06]
  • House Republicans have denied a fair vote on adding $630 million to provide urgently needed health care for troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan in the Iraq Supplemental spending bill. [HR.4939, Vote #40, 3/15/2006; Blocked 224-192]
  • Voted for $28 billion in cuts in veterans= benefits and health care. In FY 2004, House Republicans voted to cut $14 billion from veterans= benefits, including veterans= pension, compensation, education and other benefits, and another $14 billion from veterans= health care. [H Con. Res 95, Vote #82, 3/21/03]
• The Bush Record of Dangerous Incompetence: Bush Administration Cuts Veterans' Health Care. In January 2003, the Bush Administration cut off VA health care for 164,000 veterans without service-connected disabilities, who make as little as $25,000 a year. Over the past three years, this has prevented 1 million veterans, who make as little as $26,903, from enrolling in VA health care. As of December 2005, VA had treated more than 144,000 of the 505,366 veterans from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. [VA, 2/14/06]
• The Bush Record of Dangerous Incompetence: Bush Administration Shortchanged Veterans' Health, Because It Failed to Budget for Returning Veterans. In the summer of 2005, the Bush Administration acknowledged a $2.7 billion shortfall in veterans health care funding -- a deficiency that Democrats had been pointing out for several years. The Bush team sent hundreds of thousands of Americans to war but failed to anticipate that they would need medical care when they came home. According to the Bush Administration's Secretary of Veterans Affairs, his department failed to budget for 77,000 new veterans entering the VA medical system. [Testimony of Secretary of Veterans Affairs before Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, 6/28/05] There are early warning signs that the Bush Administration has once again failed to anticipate the demand for services from returning veterans, particularly the need for mental health services. [VA 2/14/06; VA 2/7/06]
• The Bush Record of Dangerous Incompetence: Veterans Facing Higher Fees. As a result of Bush Administration proposals, those who use the VA health care system are facing substantially higher co-payments, and waiting times, and are at-risk for higher fees. [The Independent Budget, Critical Issues Report for Fiscal Year 2007; Veterans Institute for Security and Democracy, Review of Veterans Funding, 11/30/05] For the fourth year in a row, the President's budget proposes raises health care costs for 1 million veterans by imposing new fees costing them more than $2.6 billion over five years, and driving at least 200,000 veterans out of the system.
• The Bush Record of Dangerous Incompetence: Investments in Veterans' Health Care Still Fall Short. This year's President's budget "plan has come up short of what's needed to honor America's commitment to veterans," according to the Disabled American Veterans. [Press release, 2/9/06] Because Democrats succeeded in investing more for veterans' health care last year, the President's budget provides about $3 billion more than last year. However, it still remains $1 billion less than veterans' service organizations specify is needed, and is $10 billion below the amount needed to maintain services at current levels over the next five years.

Democrats Are Fighting to Meet Mental Health Needs of Returning Troops. With up to one-third of Iraq war veterans possibly suffering from some degree of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Democrats are fighting to meet the needs of returning veterans. [UPI, 1/27/06] In the House, Democrats, as part of the New GI Bill of Rights, have proposed to improve mental health support for returning soldiers [HR 1588] through enhanced education and outreach, improved screening, and effective treatment and counseling for veterans and family members.

• Bush Republicans Rejected the Democratic Effort to Provide an Additional $500 Million per Year for the Next Five Years for Mental Health Services for Veterans. [RC 343, Boxer Amdt. 2634 to S.2020, 43-55, 11/17/05]

Democrats Succeeded in Extending Health Care to National Guard and Reservists. Recognizing their unprecedented sacrifice in the Iraq War, Democrats have fought to extend health care for National Guard and reservists. [RC 81, Lincoln. Amdt. to S.Con.Res. 23, 46-51, 3/25/03] In 2004, Democrats succeeded in providing one year of TRICARE benefits for every 90 days of service for activated Reservists. But we continue to fight to provide full TRICARE benefits to all members of the Guard and Reserve and their families, for an affordable monthly premium.

• Bush Republicans Rejected Efforts to Expand TRICARE Eligibility. Democratic pressure resulted in reservists being able to enroll in TRICARE if they do not have employer-sponsored health insurance, and in reservists being eligible for medical care for 6 months, after being released from active duty.
• Bush Republicans in the House Opposed Expanding TRICARE to Thousands of National Guard and Reserve Volunteers. The Senate has passed this critical provision. [RC 105, S.Amdt. 3258 to S. 2400, 70-25, 6/2/04; HR 1815, Vote #221, 5/25/2005; Failed 211-218; R 9-218; D 201-0; I 1-0]
• The Bush Record of Dangerous Incompetence: President's Budget Increases Health Care Costs for Military Retirees by as Much as $1,000 per Year. The President's budget increases TRICARE health care premiums for 3 to 4 million of the nation's military retirees under 65 and their family members. Under the new Bush Administration proposals, health care premiums will double for senior enlisted retirees and triple for officer retirees by 2008 and drug co-payments will increase. This initiative to tax military retirees will save the Defense Department $11.2 billion over five years by raising costs to families -- driving military retirees out of the system altogether and leaving them without the health care they earned through at least 20 years of service.

Democrats Are Fighting Against Increases in Health Care Costs for Military Retirees. The President's budget increases TRICARE health care premiums for 3-4 million of the nation's military retirees under 65 and their family members. Premiums will double for senior enlisted retirees and triple for officer retirees by 2008 and drug co-payments will increase. A Democratic amendment to the Senate budget resolution allowed for increased funding for retirees TRICARE to be paid for by eliminating certain tax breaks. [RC 67, S.Amdt. 3143 to S.Con.Res. 83, 46-53, 3/16/06] House Democratic Leaders sent a letter urging President Bush to rethink increasing the costs of veterans' health care and Rep. Edwards has introduced legislation to prohibit the increases. [letter, 1/25/06; H.R. 4949]

Democrats Succeeded in Making Military Pay Increases Permanent. In 2003, Democrats led the fight to make the increase in imminent danger pay and the family separation allowance permanent- over the opposition of the Bush Administration.

Democrats Are Fighting to End the Military Families Tax. The Survivor Benefit Plan penalizes survivors, many of them widows of those killed in combat. These widows lose their survivor benefits if they also receive Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) from the VA because their spouse has died of a service-connected injury. Democrats are working to end the Military Families Tax for the 53,000 spouses, despite Republican opposition in the House to even having the issue considered. [RC 307, S.Amdt. 2424 to S. 1042, 92-6, 11/8/05; HR 1815, House Vote #212, 5/25/2005; Blocked 225-200; R 225-0; D 0-199; I 0-1] That is why House Democrats have led the fight to force a vote on the H.R.808 through a discharge petition.

Democrats Are Fighting to End the Disabled Veterans Tax. Democrats have been fighting to end the disabled veterans' tax, which forces disabled military retirees to give up one dollar of their military pension for every dollar of VA disability pay they receive. Because of Democratic pressure, a Republican compromise was enacted, but it takes ten years to eliminate the tax while requiring two-thirds of military retirees with service-connected disabilities to continue to pay it.

• Bush Republicans Rejected Democratic Efforts to End the Tax Immediately. [H.R. 1588, Vote # 616, 11/7/03. Rejected 188-217 (R 4-215; D 183-2)] Democrats continue to work to end this unfair tax for all of the nearly 400,000 military retirees who are affected by it, and have offered a discharge petition to force a vote on the bipartisan H.R. 303, the Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2005.

Democrats Succeeded in Ending the Widow's Tax Over Bush Opposition. Democrats have fought to restore full military survivor benefits to the survivors of military retirees age 62 and older. This effort succeeded in getting the Widow's Tax (SBP provision) phased out in the final Defense Authorization bill in 2004, over Bush Administration opposition.

• The Bush Record of Dangerous Incompetence: Bush Administration Opposed Living Up to our Promises to Veterans, Military Retirees, and Their Families. In 2003, the Bush Administration threatened to veto the entire defense authorization bill if it included a provision to end the "Disabled Veterans Tax," which has forced disabled military retirees to lose one dollar of their military retirement pay for each dollar of VA service-connected compensation for a service-connected disability. The Administration opposed ending the Widow's Tax, which cut benefits to the survivors of military retirees age 62 and older.

The Democratic Record on the
War on Terror and Weapons of Mass Destruction

Democrats Call for a Comprehensive Strategy to Win the Global War on Terror. In contrast to the Bush Administration's piecemeal approach, Democrats have advanced a comprehensive U.S. strategy to win the war on international terrorism. This strategy calls for increasing Army special operations forces, curbing terrorist financing, preventing the growth of radical Islamic fundamentalism, and advancing U.S. interests through diplomacy and development in the Middle East, Central Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Democrats have introduced measures to increase foreign language expertise to meet the challenges of international terrorism and have called for the establishment of a commission to develop a set of metrics for measuring success and assessing U.S. efforts in the war on terror. [Targeting Terrorists More Effectively Act of 2005 (S. 12); Reid, Akaka Amendments to S. 1042, Vote. #413 to H.R. 2800; Vote #194 to S. 2845, Vote #203 to H.R. 1815, Vote #413 to H.R. 2800]

Democrats Advance Measures to Secure Loose Nuclear Materials. Democrats have introduced legislation to intercept materials used for nuclear weapons, requesting increased funding for innovative foreign military financing assistance and for strengthening coordination efforts to nations participating in the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI). Democrats also have called on the Administration to undertake all efforts necessary to security 100 percent of former USSR weapons-grade nuclear materials by 2008. [Cooperative Proliferation and Interdiction and Conventional Threat Reduction Act (S. 1949)]

• The Bush Record of Dangerous Incompetence: The Bush Administration's Failure to Uphold Global Nonproliferation Treaties Has Increased the Nuclear Ambitions of Some Countries and Raised the Specter of Nuclear Terrorism.
  • The threat of terrorists acquiring nuclear weapons or nuclear materials is very real, and increases when countries like Iran and North Korea enhance their nuclear programs.
  • North Korea is a brazen proliferator: it is known to sell missiles and nuclear technology and participate in illicit activities, including smuggling, counterfeiting and the drug trade.
  • Experts fear that North Korea's severe economic crisis could give way to regime collapse and could set loose its nuclear arsenal.
  • The Iranian regime shows little respect for international norms: it has concealed its uranium enrichment activities for nearly two decades, while purporting to seek only a civilian nuclear program and claiming its commitment to nonproliferation as a signatory member of the NPT.

Democrats Seek to Strengthen International Nonproliferation Regime; Confront North Korea and Iranian Nuclear Programs. Democrats have introduced measures to provide increased funds for the Global Threat Reduction Initiative, to step up efforts to secure nuclear materials and counter the threat of nuclear proliferation. Democrats have called on President Bush to empower Administration negotiators to resolve the North Korea nuclear threat through active participation in the Six Party Talks. They have commissioned an unclassified report to examine the size and nature of North Korea's WMD program. [Vote #133 to S. 2400, Reid, Rockefeller Amendments to S. 1042]

• The Bush Record of Dangerous Incompetence: The Bush Administration Has Failed to Stop, Let Alone Roll Back, North Korea's Nuclear Program.
  • On the Bush Administration's watch, North Korea has withdrawn from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, kicked out international inspectors monitoring rods containing nuclear material, and quadrupled its nuclear arsenal. Expert estimate North Korea's stockpile has grown from one to two weapons to at least 8 and perhaps as many as 12 weapons.
  • The Administration has been unable to develop a coherent policy toward North Korea. As a result, the North Korean threat has grown and America has been made less secure.

Democrats Call for Intelligence Reform; Seek to Ensure our Intelligence Activities Remain Nonpartisan. Democrats have advanced intelligence reform initiatives, as recommended by the bipartisan 9/11 Commission, to increase coordination and information sharing among intelligence agencies as well as efforts to ensure effective Congressional oversight of U.S. intelligence activities. Democrats have pushed for bipartisan examinations of the role of policymakers in the development and use of intelligence related to Iraq and to the NSA wiretapping program. [Vote #191, #192, #193, #195, #196 to S. 2845 Vote #287 to H.R. 2658; Vote #395 to H.R. 3289]

Democrats Work to Restore America's Leadership. Democrats have advanced efforts to ensure that U.S treatment of detainees meets Geneva Convention requirements and have called for the establishment of a National Commission to Review Policy Regarding the Treatment of Detainees. Democrats have called for bipartisan investigations into allegations of prisoner abuse and detainee rendition in Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo Bay. [Targeting Terrorists More Effectively Act of 2005 (S. 12)]

Democrats Have Worked to Prohibit Torture and Ensure Appropriate Treatment of Detainees. Democrats have advanced efforts to ensure that U.S. treatment of detainees meets the requirements of the Geneva Conventions. [e.g., Biden bill, S. 12, Targeting Terrorists More Effectively Act of 2005] In addition, in the Senate, a measure prohibiting the use of torture or cruel and inhumane treatment of detainees and requiring interrogators at military prisons to comply with the Army Field Manuel of Intelligence Interrogation was passed by a strong bipartisan vote of 90 to 9. [2005 Senate Vote #249, 10/5/05] However, it was Democrats who led the effort to pass the same measure in the House, over the opposition of the House Republican Leadership. House Democrats were ultimately successful on December 14, 2005. [2005 House Vote #630, 12/14/05]

Democrats Have Fought to Investigate Allegations of Mistreatment of Detainees. Democrats strongly support helping to restore America's leadership in the world by requiring an investigation of U.S. detainee abuses. Democrats believe that establishing an independent, bipartisan investigation of the detainee abuses that have occurred would be enormously beneficial for U.S. relationships abroad and convince the world that these abuses won't happen again. For example, in June 2005, House Democrats supported an amendment to establish an independent, bipartisan commission to investigate U.S. abuses of detainees, but Republicans blocked the amendment by a vote of 197 to 228. [2005 House Vote #289, 6/21/05]

• The Bush Record of Dangerous Incompetence: Bush Administration policies that disrespect the rule of law and demonstrate contempt for international standards and institutions have increased the risk to U.S. troops, harmed our efforts to lead an international coalition to fight the war on terror, and weakened our ability to address the next generation of terrorists.
  • Abuse of prisoners in Iraq and Afghanistan, secret detentions and renditions, warrantless surveillance in the United States, ignoring the Geneva Conventions, and a go-it-alone foreign policy under the Bush Administration have increased the risks to our troops, effectively alienated key U.S. allies, and been used as recruiting tools for terrorist organizations.
  • Recent polls indicate that large majorities of Europeans hold an unfavorable view of America and see the U.S. as posing the greatest threat to international security. ["The Limits of Rice's Diplomacy." Ivo Daaldler, The Brookings Institute, 1/27/06]

The Democratic Record on Homeland Security

Democratic Initiative Created Department of Homeland Security. "The department is a direct result of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, which exposed security lapses and intelligence failures, and led to calls for sweeping changes to the nation's defense, intelligence and law enforcement sectors. Bush initially resisted the idea of a new department, which had been championed primarily by Democrats in the wake of the attacks." [CNN, 11/26/02]

• After Resisting the Effort, President Bush Embraced the Democratic Plan for Political Gain. "But Bush embraced the concept in June and used the issue effectively on the campaign trail this past fall, criticizing Democrats who differed with him over the issue of labor rights within the new department." [CNN, 11/26/02]

Senate Democrats Have Fought to Make Homeland Security a Top Priority. Since 9/11, Senate Democrats have repeatedly tried to make homeland security a top budget priority. For example, Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-CT) offered an amendment to the FY 2006 Budget Resolution to provide an additional $8 billion for homeland security, including $1.6 billion for first responders, $1 billion for transit and rail security, $1 billion for enhanced bioterrorism preparedness, $400 million for Port Security Grants, and $150 million for chemical security. House Democrats have also fought to make homeland security a top priority. House Democrats have also repeatedly fought for homeland security as a top priority. For example, Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) offered a Democratic substitute to the FY 2006 Homeland Security Authorization. The substitute included an additional $6.9 billion for homeland security, including meeting the commitments of the 9/11 Act, such as $380 million to ensure 2,000 additional Border Patrol agents; $160 million for securing air cargo; and $92 million for radiation portal monitors.

• Bush Republicans in the Senate Defeated the Amendment by a Vote of 43 to 53. [Senate Vote #59, 3/16/06]
• Bush Republicans in the House Defeated the Substitute by a Vote of 196 to 230. [2005 House Vote #187, 5/18/05]

Democrats Have Fought for Port Security. Senate Democrats have repeatedly fought to increase port security investments. For example, Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) offered an amendment to the FY 2005 Homeland Security Appropriations bill to increase funding for Port Security Grants by $300 million. House Democrats have fought for port security. Since 9/11, House Democrats have repeatedly tried to increase investments in port security. For example, Rep. Martin Sabo (D-MN) offered an amendment to the FY 2006 Supplemental Appropriations bill to increase port security funding by $825 million. The amendment includes $400 million to place radiation portal monitors at all U.S. ports of entry.

• Bush Republicans in the Senate Blocked the Amendment, by a Vote of 45 to 49. [2004 Senate Vote #171, 9/9/04]
• Bush Republicans in the House Defeated the Sabo Amendment by a Vote of 208 to 210. [2006 House Vote #56, 3/16/06]
• The Bush Record of Dangerous Incompetence: 9/11 Commission Gives Washington Republicans a "D" on Screening Cargo, Including at Ports. The 9/11 Commission report concluded that terrorists have "the opportunity to do harm as great or greater in maritime and surface transportation" than the 9/11 terrorist attacks. And yet the Bush Administration and the Republican-led Congress have done little on port security. As a result, in the report card it issued in December 2005, the 9/11 Commission gave Washington Republicans a "D" on screening cargo, including at ports.
• The Bush Record of Dangerous Incompetence: Four and a Half Years After 9/11, Only 6 Percent of Containers Entering U.S. Ports are Screened. A weapon of mass destruction detonated in a container at a seaport could cause tremendous numbers of casualties, and an estimated economic loss ranging from $58 billion to $1 trillion. And yet, due to the neglect of Washington Republicans on port security, only 6 percent of containers entering U.S. seaports are currently being screened.
• The Bush Record of Dangerous Incompetence: Four and a Half Years After 9/11, Fewer than Half of the Ports of Entry Have Radiation Portal Monitors. The 9/11 Commission report concluded that terrorists have the "opportunity to do harm as great or greater in maritime and surface transportation" than the 9/11 attacks. And yet Washington Republicans have been slow to deploy radiation portal monitors - at both sea and land ports of entry. Under the Administration's policy, all ports of entry wouldn't have radiation portal monitors until 2011.
• The Bush Record of Dangerous Incompetence: Bush Republicans Have Grossly Underfunded Port Security. Over the last five years, the Republican-controlled Congress has only appropriated about $800 million for port security grants - whereas the Coast Guard has stated that $5.4 billion is needed for enhancing port security over 10 years. Furthermore, in his FY 2007 budget, President Bush proposes eliminating the $173 million Port Security Grant program by rolling these grants into a larger grant program - thereby forcing port officials to compete for funding against other critical infrastructure.

Democrats Have Fought for First Responders. Since 9/11, Senate Democrats have repeatedly tried to increase investments in first responders. For example, Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) offered an amendment to the FY 2006 Budget Resolution to invest $5 billion to provide interoperable communications equipment for first responders. House Democrats Have Also Fought for First Responders. House Democrats have also repeatedly fought to increase first responder investments. For example, Rep. David Obey (D-WI) offered a motion to recommit the FY 2003 Continuing Appropriations bill, to add provisions ensuring $3.5 billion in new money for the nation's first responders. The President had requested only $1 billion in new money for first responders in his FY 2003 budget.

• Bush Republicans in the Senate Rejected the Amendment by a Vote of 43 to 55. [2006 Senate Vote #45, 3/15/06]
• Bush Republicans in the House Defeated the Democratic Effort by a Vote of 201 to 222. [2003 House Vote #16, 1/28/03]
• The Bush Record of Dangerous Incompetence: 9/11 Commission Gives Washington Republicans an "F" on Improving Communications for First Responders. In the 9/11 Commission's December 2005 report card, Washington Republicans got an "F" on communications for first responders. Indeed, Hurricane Katrina exposed that, four years after 9/11, little progress has been made in creating a system where police, fire and emergency medical service departments can communicate with each other.
• The Bush Record of Dangerous Incompetence: President Bush is Proposing Eliminating the COPS Interoperable Communications Grant Program. Despite the fact that first responders still can't communicate with each other, the President's FY 2007 budget proposes eliminating the very popular and successful COPS Interoperable Communications Grant program which is charged with awarding technology grants to law enforcement agencies for enhancing interoperability.
• The Bush Record of Dangerous Incompetence: Four and a Half Years After 9/11, First Responders Still Don't Have the Training and Equipment They Need. Washington Republicans have let down our first responders. Over the last four years, Republicans have slashed First Responder Grants in the Homeland Security Department by 59 percent - from $2.3 billion in FY 2003 to $941 million in FY 2006. They have also slashed the COPS program in the Justice Department, which also provides equipment and training for police officers. They have slashed COPS funding by 51 percent - from $978 million in FY 2002 to $478 million in FY 2006. Now, the President's budget for FY 2007 sets the COPS program on the path for elimination - proposing an additional cut of 79 percent.

Democrats Have Fought for Border Security. Senate Democrats have also repeatedly fought to increase border security investments. For example, Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) offered an amendment to the FY 2005 Supplemental Appropriations bill to increase funding for border security by $390 million, providing for the hiring of additional Border Patrol agents and the operation of unmanned aerial vehicles. House Democrats have fought for border security. Since 9/11, House Democrats have repeatedly tried to increase investments in border security. For example, Rep. David Obey (D-WI) offered a motion to recommit the conference report on FY 2005 Supplemental Appropriations bill with instructions to add $284 million to fund an additional 550 Border Patrol agents, an additional 200 immigration agents, and unmanned border aerial vehicles.

• Bush Republicans Sunk the Effort in the Senate. With support from 21 Republicans, Democrats succeeded in adopting the Byrd amendment - by a vote of 65 to 34. (2005 Senate Vote #105, 4/20/05) However, most of this additional border security funding was removed by the GOP in conference.
• Bush Republicans Defeated the House Democrats' Effort by a Vote of 201 to 225. [2005 House Vote #160, 5/5/05]
• The Bush Record of Dangerous Incompetence: 9/11 Commission Gives Washington Republicans a "D" on International Collaboration on Border Security. In the 9/11 Commission's December 2005 report card, Washington Republicans got a "D" on international collaboration on border security. The commission points out that there has been no systematic diplomatic effort to work with other countries on shared terrorist watchlists - to ensure terrorists can't get across our borders.
• The Bush Record of Dangerous Incompetence: There Are 1,000 Fewer Additional Border Patrol Agents Than Were Promised in the 9/11 Act. The Republican Congress has broken the promises it made on funding additional Border Patrol Agents, immigration enforcement agents and detention beds. Specifically, in 2004, Congress enacted the Intelligence Reforms Act (or the "9/11 Act"; PL 108-458), which mandated an additional 2,000 Border Patrol agents being hired over each of the next five years. And yet, for FY 2006, the Republican-led Congress funded only 1,000 additional agents. The 9/11 Act also mandated an additional 800 immigration enforcement agents over each of the next five years. And yet, for FY 2006, the Congress funded only 350 additional agents. The Act also mandated an additional 8,000 detention beds. Yet, for FY 2006, the Congress funded only 1,800 additional detention beds.

Democrats Have Fought for Aviation Security. Since 9/11, Senate Democrats have repeatedly tried to increase investments in aviation security. For example, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) offered an amendment to the FY 2006 Homeland Security Appropriations bill to provide $302 million for improved screening of cargo carried on commercial airliners. House Democrats have also fought for aviation security. House Democrats have also repeatedly fought to increase aviation security investments. For example, Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) offered a motion to recommit the FY 2006 Homeland Security Authorization with instructions to authorize $400 million more in FY 2006 for in-line checked baggage screening system installations as well as to require that all air cargo on passenger planes be screened within three years.

• Bush Republicans Blocked the Senate Amendment by a Vote of 45 to 53. [2005 Senate Vote #180, 7/14/05]
• Bush Republicans Rejected the House Motion to Recommit by a Vote of 199 to 228. [2005 House Vote #188, 5/18/05]
• The Bush Record of Dangerous Incompetence: 9/11 Commission Gives Washington Republicans an "F" on Airline Passenger Pre-Screening. In the 9/11 Commission's December 2005 report card, Washington Republicans got an "F" on airline passenger pre-screening. Four and a half years after 9/11, there is still not a unified terrorist watch list for screening airline passengers.
• The Bush Record of Dangerous Incompetence: Four and a Half Years After 9/11, Most Air Cargo Still Not Screened. Washington Republicans have still not made the investments necessary to ensure that air cargo carried on passenger aircraft is screened for explosives. In addition, the Republican-led Congress continues to severely underfund the installation of in-line explosive detection systems at airports across the country and needed R&D for improved explosive detection systems.

Democrats Have Fought for Rail and Transit Security. Since 9/11, Senate Democrats have repeatedly tried to increase investments in rail and transit security. For example, Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) offered an amendment to the FY 2006 Homeland Security Appropriations bill to provide $1.2 billion for transit security grants and $265 million for intercity rail transportation. House Democrats have also fought for rail and transit security. House Democrats have also repeatedly fought to increase rail and transit security investments. For example, Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) offered a Democratic substitute to the FY 2006 Homeland Security Authorization bill. This substitute included key provisions to bolster rail and transit security - including a three-year $2.8 billion grant program to improve transit security and a three-year $1 billion program to improve rail security.

• Bush Republicans in the Senate Blocked the Amendment by a Vote of 43 to 55. [2005 Senate Vote #184, 7/14/05]
• Bush Republicans in the House Defeated the Substitute by a Vote of 196 to 230. [2005 House Vote #187, 5/18/05]
• The Bush Record of Dangerous Incompetence: Since 9/11, Little Has Been Done to Enhance Security for our Rail and Transit Systems. Coordinated and timed bombings in London and Madrid are the latest example of the fact that from 1998 to 2003, there were 181 terrorist attacks on rail targets worldwide. And yet Republicans have provided only $600 million of the estimated $6 billion needed to improve transit security since 9/11. And they have provided only $145 million for rail security since 9/11. Now, in his FY 2007 budget, President Bush proposes eliminating the $150 million Rail and Transit Security Grant program by rolling these grants into a larger grant program.

The Democratic Record on Iraq

Democrats Have Demanded That the President Develop a Plan for Post War Iraq. In October 2003, Democrats sought to offer an amendment to the FY 2003 Iraq Supplemental that, among its provisions, would have required President Bush to submit to Congress a plan for postwar Iraq - a coherent and workable strategy to accomplish our mission. It had been clear from the moment that Baghdad fell in April 2003 that our mission in Iraq was being undermined by a lack of planning. Now, almost two and a half years later, Democrats are still insisting that the President develop a coherent plan.

• The President Continues to Say: "Stay the Course." Republicans Voted to Block Consideration of this Key Democratic Amendment - by a Vote of 221 to 202. [2003 Vote #544, 10/16/03]

Democrats Fought to Require the President to Submit A "Strategy for Success" in Iraq. In June 2005, Democrats sought to offer a key amendment to the FY 2006 DOD Appropriations bill to require the President to submit a "strategy for success" in Iraq, including clear benchmarks for determining when our troops can begin coming home. Our troops have paid a heavy price for this Administration's bungled handling of Iraq. The least this President owes the troops and owes the country is a clear explanation of what the criteria for success in Iraq are and what benchmarks the President will be using in determining when our troops can begin coming home.

• The President Has Yet to Submit This Strategy.
• Bush Republicans Voted to Block Consideration of this Amendment - by a vote of 223 to 200. [2005 House Vote # 269, 6/16/05]

Democrats Led the Charge for 2006 to be a Year of Significant Transition in Iraq. A bipartisan majority of the Senate called for the President to change course in Iraq in order to make 2006 a year of significant transition. Led by Democrats, 79 Senators called on the President to explain to Congress and the American people his strategy for success in Iraq so that our troops can begin to come home. [RC 323, S. Amdt. 2518 to S. 1042, 11/15/05, 79-19]

• The Bush Record of Dangerous Incompetence: Problems Persist with Iraqi Security Forces:
  • Despite the fact that we have just entered the fourth year of the war and billions have been spent to train Iraqi forces, there are no Iraqi Security Force (ISF) battalions capable of operating without U.S. assistance. [Department of Defense's (DoD) "Measuring Stability and Security in Iraq" Report, 2/06, 10/05; Testimony of General John Abizaid to the Senate Armed Services Committee, 9/29/05]
  • U.S. troops are still on the front lines in the most dangerous places: about 60% of all U.S. military deaths have occurred in 2 of the most dangerous provinces: Al Anbar and Baghdad. [Anthony Cordesman, "Iraq's Evolving Insurgency," 2/2/06]
  • Iraqi troops have primary responsibility for less than 20 percent of the country overall. [Department of Defense's (DoD) "Measuring Stability and Security in Iraq" Report, 2/06]
  • The reliability of Iraqi security forces remains questionable. Militia members are included within the Iraqi security forces, and they remain unchecked, which remains a major obstacle to maintaining law and order in Iraq. [Reuters, 3/10/06; Washington Post, 2/28/06]
  • The U.S. has been holding back the best weapons from Iraqi forces mainly because "Iraqi troops have a reputation for revolving-door enlistments, failure to report for duty and--at times--horrific incompetence." [Newsweek, 2/20/06]

Democrats Have Fought for Better Pay for the Troops. Since 2003, Democrats have been consistently fighting for better pay for the troops in Iraq. In 2003, Democrats led the fight to make the increase in imminent danger pay and the family separation allowance permanent - over the opposition of the Bush Administration. This Democratic-led fight was successful in 2004 when these provisions were included in the DOD Authorization bill. In 2003, Democrats also offered an amendment to the Iraqi supplemental that would have provided a $1,500 bonus for troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

• Bush Republicans Defeated the Bonus for our Troops by a 213 to 213 Tie Vote. [2003 House Vote #554, 10/17/03]

Democrats Have Sought More Funding for Body Armor and Other Equipment for Our Troops in Iraq. Every step along the way, Democrats have sought to ensure that our troops were fully equipped for the war in Iraq. For example, because of Democratic efforts, the 2003 Iraqi Supplemental included more funds for body armor. In addition, Democrats offered amendments to shift $322 million from reconstruction to safety equipment for U.S. troops in Iraq (Sen. Dodd) and to shift $3.6 billion from Iraqi reconstruction to support and safety for our troops, including funding for repairing and replacing the critical equipment for combat in Iraq (Rep. Obey).

• Both of these Efforts were Rejected by Bush Republicans. [RC 376, S. Amdt. 1817 to S. 1689, Motion to table, 49-37, 10/2/03; H.R. 3289, 2003 House Vote #547, 209-216, 10/16/03]

Democrats Achieved Reimbursements for Soldiers and Families for Body Armor. During the first two and a half years of the war, the Pentagon was sending many of our troops to Iraq without the body armor that they needed. As a result, there were thousands of stories of troops and their family members finding body armor on their own and paying for it out of their own pockets. Although the Pentagon now claims that this problem has been solved, there continue to be stories of troops having to pay for body armor themselves. Democrats have successfully worked to ensure that troops and family members who have been forced to pay for body armor out of their own pockets are reimbursed (Dodd amendment). [S. Amdt. 1970 to H.R. 2683, 10/5/05, adopted by voice]

Democrats Provided More Funding for Up-Armored Humvees. Democrats have also worked to provide additional funding for up-armored Humvees. For example, on April 21, 2005, Democrats were successful in getting an amendment adopted that would provide an additional $213 million to the Army for the procurement of additional up-armored Humvees. The need for more up-armored Humvees has been well-documented. As Newsweek reported in 2004, "According to an unofficial study by a defense consultant, ... perhaps one in four of those killed in combat in Iraq might be alive if they had had stronger armor around them." [RC 108, S.Amdt 52 to H.R. 1268, 4/21/05, 61-39; Newsweek, 5/3/04]

Democrats Fight for "Truman Committee" to Investigate Waste, Fraud and Abuse in U.S. Contracts in Iraq, including Halliburton Contracts. The precedent for a select committee to investigate government contracting during wartime is the Truman Select Committee. This committee investigated waste, fraud and abuse in military contracts during World War II. It held 432 public hearings and 300 executive sessions. By the time of its dissolution, its recommendations saved the American taxpayer an estimated $15 billion. A Truman Committee is needed once again. Since 2003, there have been many examples of the misuse of American taxpayer dollars in Iraqi contracting. A key example of Iraqi contract abuses is Halliburton - with Pentagon auditors questioning $1.4 billion of the billings that Halliburton submitted for its Iraqi work. Over the last year, Republicans have rejected the Truman Committee on four separate votes. In addition to Democrats fighting for the Truman Committee, since the beginning of the war in Iraq, the Senate Democratic Policy Committee has held seven oversight hearings on waste, fraud and abuse in Iraqi contracts. [2005 House Vote #72, 3/15/05; 2005 House Vote #159, 5/5/05; 2005 House Vote #297, 6/22/05; 2006 House Vote #40, 3/15/06; Senate Democratic Policy Committee hearings, 11/3/03, 2/13/04, 9/10/04, 2/14/05, 6/27/05, 9/16/05, 1/23/06]

• The Bush Record of Dangerous Incompetence:
  • Billions in U.S. taxpayer funds appropriated for the reconstruction of Iraq are either unaccounted for, stolen or have been misspent. [Report of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, January 2006]
  • The U.S. is spending 22% of the $18.4 billion appropriated for reconstruction on security, leaving many reconstruction projects incomplete, particularly in critical areas like water, energy and health. [Report of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, January 2006]

Democrats Fight to Combat War Profiteering. Democrats have also been fighting for legislation that would prohibit profiteering by any corporation from any military, relief or reconstruction related efforts in Iraq and attach penalties of up to thirty years in prison for violations. Democrats offered the anti-war profiteering legislation as a motion to recommit in November 2005.

• Bush Republicans Defeated the Motion by a Vote of 201 to 221. [2005 House Vote #584, 11/9/05; H.R. 3673 and S. 1813 in the 108th Congress]

Democrats Call for Creation of a Regional Security Group in Iraq. Although the Administration has touted short-term conferences on Iraq, these conferences have yielded few sustainable results. Democrats have urged the Administration to establish a regional security group, whose assistance could go a long way towards stabilizing Iraq. [Wall Street Journal, 2/10/05]

Democrats Work Toward Energy Independence by 2020

Democrats Support Funding Energy Research. Democrats support increasing energy research and development funding and extending the renewable energy production tax credit. (S. Amdt. 3039) Democrats proposed $250 million for increasing research, development, demonstration and deployment of new energy generation and new energy efficiency technologies to most effectively support the objective of decreasing U.S. oil imports, which is a critical national security priority.

• Bush Republicans Blocked Consideration of this Critical Proposal. [HR 2419, House Vote #203. Blocked 219-190. 5/24/2005]

Democrats Sought to Increase Energy Efficiency Standards and Investing in New Technology. Democrats sought to provide tax incentives for renewable energy, such as solar, wind, geothermal and biomass, and for energy efficient home appliances and to expand the deployment of the latest technologies and increase research and commercialization of emerging technologies. [HR 6, House Vote #188. Rejected 170-259. 4/20/2005]

• The Bush Record of Dangerous Incompetence: Slashes Energy Efficiency and Conservation. The president's budget cuts evergy efficiency by 13 percent from last year, even though DOE research on core efficiency programs has been cut by 32 percent in real terms since FY 2001. [Union of Concerned Scientists; American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, 2/7/05] Reducing our nation's energy consumption is effective in reducing our reliance on foreign energy, but the President's budget cuts conservation programs by $113 million. [House Appropriations Committee, Democratic Staff, 2/6/06]

Democrats Call for Creating the Next Generation of Revolutionary Energy Technologies. Democrats are committed to creating a new DARPA-like initiative to provide seed money for fundamental research needed to develop high-risk, high-reward technologies and build markets for the next generation of revolutionary energy technologies, such as those emerging from biotechnology, nanotechnology, solar, and fuel-cell research. This new agency would have resources and flexibility needed to do ground-breaking research and push promising technology into the marketplace. [H.R. 4435, S. 2196]

• The Bush Record of Dangerous Incompetence: Smokescreen Solutions to Energy Problems. Rather than enact policies that would aggressively confront our security challenges and provide safe, sustainable and affordable energy, Republicans have pushed for drilling in the Alaska wilderness and rolling back environmental protections regulating oil and gas leases and refineries. Drilling in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge would provide only the equivalent of six months of American oil demand and would not provide any oil for a decade, lower prices, or create a significant number of new long-term jobs. Refiners have not shown interest in building new refineries regardless of environmental regulations.

Democrats Seek Expanding Biofuels and Other Clean Energy Alternatives. Growth in use of biofuels could save 3.9 million barrels of oil per day by 2025. Democrats support tax incentives and a national renewable fuels standard to encourage increased production of renewable fuels. [S. 1994] Democrats have proposed to rapidly expand production and distribution of synthetic and bio-based fuels, such as ethanol derived from cellulosic sources, and deploy new engine technologies for fuel-flexible, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and bio-diesel vehicles -- by doubling research and development funding for new fuels, innovative refining processes for these fuels, and new vehicle technologies so that these emerging technologies can be deployed in the next three to five years. [House Democratic Innovation Agenda, November 2005]

• The Bush Record of Dangerous Incompetence: The President's Budget Cuts Renewable Energy Programs, Which Create Jobs and Reduce our Dependence on Foreign Oil. The President's budget eliminates all funding for bioenergy incentives that help expand the production of ethanol and biodiesel. Further, the budget cuts renewable energy loans (from $177 million to $35 million) and grants, as well as biomass research and development. His budget proposals have been called "pitiful. The $150 million the White House said it would commit to making biofuels more competitive . .turns out to be $50 million less than the amount authorized by last year's energy bill." [New York Times, 2/6/06]

Democrats Promote Flexible-Fuel Vehicles. Increased availability of flexible-fuel vehicles, which can run on either gasoline or E-85, will reduce our dependence on gasoline and increase our reliance on home-grown fuels. [S. 1994, H.R. 4673]

Democrats Call for Cutting Dependence on Foreign Oil. Democrats support reducing imports of foreign oil by 40 percent by 2025. [S. Amdt. 784; H. Amdt. 79 to HR 6 is similar.]

• The Bush Record of Dangerous Incompetence: U.S. Oil and Petroleum Product Imports are Increasing. In 2000, America imported 3.8 billion barrels of oil and petroleum products or 52.9 percent of its total net consumption. In 2005, the U.S. imported about 4.7 billion barrels or 60 percent of its total net consumption. If current policies continue, the Administration projects that Americans will import 5.25 billion barrels in 2020. [Energy Information Administration, U.S. Imports by Country of Origin, and Annual Energy Outlook 2006]

Democrats Propose a Tire Fuel Efficiency Program. Proper inflation of tires and replacing old tires with fuel-efficient tires could save 470,000 barrels of oil per day by 2013. Democrats propose creating a national tire fuel efficiency program. [S. 1882]

Democrats Support Creating a Strategic Gasoline and Jet Fuel Reserve. A gasoline and jet fuel reserve, like our Strategic Petroleum Reserve, would protect Americans from price spikes like those Americans experienced after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. [S. 1794]

Democrats Seek a National Renewable Electricity Standard. A national Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) would require electric utilities to produce 10 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2020. An RPS would reduce our dependence on foreign energy sources and create jobs. [S. Amdt. 791]

Democrats Propose Banning Gasoline Price Gouging and Improving Market Transparency. Democrats have proposed federal legislation establishing a federal ban on price gouging for oil, gasoline, and other petroleum products during national emergencies, provide civil and criminal penalties for price gouging, ban market manipulation, and require greater transparency in oil and gasoline markets. [S. 1735, H.R. 3936, S. 1744, S. Amdt. 2612]

• The Bush Record of Dangerous Incompetence: Oil Companies are Raking In Extraordinary Profits. In 2005, as Americans struggled to pay their gasoline and heating bills, the top six oil companies made an astonishing $113 billion in profits. ExxonMobil reported the highest annual profits in U.S. history; the oil giant's 2005 profits soared to $36.13 billion, an increase of 43 percent over 2004. The oil companies attempt to downplay their profits to the public. However, ExxonMobil's 2004 annual report emphasizes "return on average capital employed" as the best measure for financial performance and reveals a rate of return of 37 percent for domestic drilling and 28.6 percent for domestic refining. [ExxonMobil press release for January 30, 2006; "High Oil Prices Help Boost Exxon Profits," Steve Quinn, AP Business Writer, January 30, 2006; Public Citizen testimony, Senate Judiciary Committee, February 1, 2006]

Democrats Initiated an Investigating into Post-Hurricane Price Gouging. Democrats passed a provision requiring the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate nationwide gas price spikes in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina for evidence of price gouging and its effects on the U.S. economy. [S. Amdt. 1703]

Democrats Fought to Impose Tough Criminal Penalties on Price Gouging Companies.

• Bush Republicans Voted Against New Criminal Penalties of up to $100 million on Price Gouging Energy Corporations. [CQ Vote #500, HR 3402, 9/28/05. Motion rejected 195-226: Republicans 0-226; Democrats 194-0]

Democrats Work to Protect Consumers. Senator Mikulski and 31 Democratic Senators sent a letter to the President on October 7, 2005 urging him to bring the oil companies' CEOs to the White House and demand that they lower their prices. Senators Feingold, Feinstein, and 13 additional Democratic Senators sent a letter to the Chairwoman of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on September 30, 2005 requesting an explanation for the FTC's approval of refinery mergers, which have harmed consumers.

Democrats Call for Energy Consumer Relief for Families, Small Businesses and Farmers. Democrats propose to provide relief to families paying skyrocketing energy costs by expanding the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and provide relief to small businesses and farmers with a tax credit and grants. These would be paid for by repealing at least $8 billion in unnecessary subsidies in the new energy law for oil and gas companies, which oil companies say they do not even need, and through fines from price-gouging companies. [H.R. 4479]

Democrats Support Aiding Low-Income Families with High Energy Costs. Democrats support full funding of $5.1 billion for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to account for the dramatic increases in cost of heating. LIHEAP budget requests have decreased since 2001 despite 78 percent increases in expenditures on heating fuels. [S. Amdt. 2033, S. Amdt. 2077, S. Amdt. 2194, and S. Amdt. 3074]

Democrats Seek Weatherization Assistance. Weatherizing homes that use home heating oil could save consumers 18 percent of their heating costs and save 80,000 barrels of oil per day. Democrats support increased funding of the Weatherization Assistance Program, which helps American consumers weatherize their homes, lowering energy consumption and costs. [S. Amdt. 3039]