INTRODUCTION

At the beginning of the 110th Congress, the new majority came to power full of promises for a bipartisan working relationship and a landmark pledge to create the “most honest, most open, and most ethical Congress in history.”

Unfortunately, the first six months of Democratic control have been marked by long string of broken promises. Contrary to the pledges they made to the American people, the leaders of the current majority have delivered a more closed, intellectually-dishonest, and ethically ambivalent House of Representatives.

By decree instead of open debate, Democrats have attempted to weaken our national defense and legislate retreat from the Global War on Terror; impose the largest tax increase in American history; propose the most indiscriminate, wasteful spending this Congress has seen in decades; craft multi-billion dollar slush funds for secret earmarks; make gas prices worse by raising taxes and increasing regulation; and cut Medicare at a time when our seniors are enjoying large savings in their prescription drug medicines. This is the wrong direction for the American people.

At the six-month mark of the new majority, the following report takes a look at House Democrats’ Top 100 Broken Promises – and how those broken promises have led to little, if any, accomplishments of note and a record of failure that has undermined the confidence of the American people in this Congress. The report complements efforts by other House Republicans – including the Official Truth Squad led by Rep. Tom Price (R-GA) – who are holding Democrats accountable for their promises. What are some of the most blatant promises broken thus far?

DEMOCRATIC PROMISE #1: Prepared to Govern & Ready to Lead
Promise: “Democrats are prepared to govern and ready to lead.” – Speaker-Elect Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Press Release, November 8, 2006

Broken Promise: “Six months after taking over Congress, Democrats find they have accomplished little of their agenda. Perhaps not coincidentally, Congress’ job approval rating has reached a dramatic low … If they can’t reverse the trend, some Democrats are starting to worry, their majority could be short-lived.” – “Democrats Promised Way More Than They’ve Delivered So Far,” Chicago Tribune, June 21, 2007

DEMOCRATIC PROMISE #2: “Open, Honest, & Ethical Congress”
Promise: “[W]e will make this the most honest, ethical and open Congress in history.” – Speaker-Elect Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Press Conference, November 8, 2006

Broken Promise: “When Democrats recaptured the House of Representatives last November after 12 long years in the minority, they promised voters ‘the most honest, the most open and the most ethical Congress.’ Five months after Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her leadership team took control, that promise remains unfulfilled.” – “A Wake-Up Call For Congress,” Cleveland Plain Dealer Editorial, June 10, 2007

With so little in the way of accomplishments, is it any wonder a new poll released by Gallup last week showed that just 14 percent of Americans have confidence in this Congress, an all-time low? The previous low point for Congress was 18 percent at several points in the time period from 1991 to 1994, the last time Democrats were in power.

Indeed one of the only meaningful accomplishments of this Congress to date has been legislation enacted to fully-fund American troops fighting the War on Terror – a bill that was carried on the strength of a unified Republican Party. And nearly half of the 39 bills signed into law either name federal property or build a road.

In sharp contrast, House Republicans have spoken with one voice and kept our promise made to the American people six months ago to return to our core principles and focus on a smaller, less costly, and more accountable government. Moreover, a unified Republican Conference has proven formidable, effective, and successful in exposing flaws and strengthening Democratic legislation by passing 14 GOP motions-to-recommit in just six months – more than House Democrats were able to accomplish in their 12 year-stint in the minority.

In many ways, the “new” Democratic majority has simply picked up where the old Democratic majority left off – a long list of broken promises, little in the way of accomplishments, and dangerously disconnected from the American people. The following pages include the top 100 broken promises from House Democrats in the first six months of their new majority.