DEMOCRATS’ PROMISES: NATIONAL & HOMELAND SECURITY

DEMOCRATIC PROMISE #31: Implement ALL 9/11 Commission Recommendations
Promise: “On the first day we control Congress, we will begin by passing all of the 9/11 Commission recommendations.” – Then-Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Press Release, July 21, 2006

Promise: “House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi says she plans to pass all of the Sept. 11 commission’s recommendations within 100 legislative hours of a Democratic takeover of the House of Representatives.” – “Pelosi Plan to Swiftly Enact Recommendations of 9/11 Commission Short on Specifics,” Congressional Quarterly, November 6, 2006

Broken Promise: “On the eve of last November’s elections, then-minority leader Pelosi promised that Democrats would implement all the 9/11 commission recommendations in their first day in office. But it leaves out key provisions of that prestigious panel that were considered and rejected in the GOP-controlled Congress: It does not take up panel recommendations to declassify the top line of the intelligence budget; It would not shift covert paramilitary operations from the Central Intelligence Agency to the Defense Department; It skirts the lead recommendation of the 9/11 commission for members of Congress: to dramatically reduce the number of committees that claim oversight over homeland security.” – “Pelosi Plan to Swiftly Enact Recommendations of 9/11 Commission Short on Specifics,” Congressional Quarterly, November 6, 2006

Broken Promise: “But the [9/11 bill] package will not include a reorganization of congressional oversight of the Homeland Security Department or an attempt to declassify the intelligence budget, despite the fact that those, too, were key recommendations. Although Democrats pledged during the election to implement all of the commission’s unfulfilled recommendations, aides now concede that doing so will be harder than they thought.” – “Dems Drop Some 9/11 Panel Proposals From Agenda,” CongressDaily AM, December 15, 2006

DEMOCRATIC PROMISE #32: Pass Clean Spending Bills Without Iraq Policy Changes
Promise: “House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee ranking member John Murtha, D-Pa., told reporters last week that he would not use the spending bill to enact policy on Iraq -- a war he strongly opposes.” –“Dems To Reorder Defense Priorities, But Not Slash Budgets,” Congress Daily PM, October 27, 2006

Broken Promise: An editorial in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette accused Democrats of using the supplemental spending bill to author “resolutions that would severely restrict supplies and reinforcements” for American troops in harm’s way, and would “tie the president’s hands by imposing all kinds of conditions on his ability to reinforce the troops.” – Arkansas Democrat Gazette Editorial, February 21, 2006. CNN’s John Roberts questioned Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) about his “slow bleed” scheme to undermine our generals and our troops on the ground (“American Morning,” CNN, April 24, 2007):

JOHN ROBERTS: You heard what President Bush said, that Congress shouldn’t be micromanaging the war. What do you say?

REP. JOHN MURTHA: That’s our job, John.

On the upcoming Department of Defense spending bill, it’s clear House Democrats and Rep. Murtha do intend to attach the latest version of his “slow bleed” scheme to undermine our troops: “House Democratic leaders are considering votes next month on another legislative package aimed at changing course in Iraq, and might announce those plans this week, aides said Monday. ... The Iraq language would be attached to the Defense appropriations bill.” –“Dems Weighing Next Attempt To Change Course In Iraq War,” Congress Daily PM, June 26, 2007

DEMOCRATIC PROMISE #33: Protect U.S. Ports
Promise: “Immediately implement the recommendations of the independent, bipartisan 9/11 Commission including securing national borders, ports airports and mass transit systems.” – Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) “A New Direction for America,” Page 5

Broken Promise: According to the 9/11 Commission, “The small terrorist travel intelligence collection and analysis program currently in place [the anti-terror ATS-P terrorist screening program] has produced disproportionately useful results. It should be expanded.” But during consideration of the Homeland Security authorization bill in May, 160 House Democrats voted against a Republican proposal to give the Homeland Security Department the authority to continue utilizing the anti-terror ATS-P terrorist screening program. – Roll Call Vote #317, May 9, 2007

DEMOCRATIC PROMISE #34: “A New Strategy to Win the War on Terror”
Promise: “A New Strategy to Win the War on Terror. . .We need to use all the tools of American power to make our country safe.” – The Plan, Rahm Emanuel & Bruce Reed, page 56

Broken Promise: “[House Democrats on the Armed Services Committee are] banishing the global war on terror from the 2008 defense budget. This is not because the war has been won, lost or even called off, but because the committee’s Democratic leadership doesn’t like the phrase.” – Military Times, “No More GWOT, House Committee Decrees,” April 4, 2007

Broken Promise: “Democrats have banned the phrase ‘global war on terror’ from the draft Pentagon budget, arguing that it is a propagandist term. . .” – The Daily Telegraph, “Democrats Put End to Global War on Terror,” April 10, 2007

DEMOCRATIC PROMISE #35: Support U.S. Troops in Harm’s Way
Promise: “Democrats will never cut off funding for our troops when they are in harm’s way...” – Interview with Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), ABC News’ Diane Sawyer, January 19, 2007

Promise: “But we will always be there to protect our troops and to support our troops.” – Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), CBS’s Face the Nation, January 7, 2007

Broken Promise: “Cutting funding, Katie, is seen as a very unpopular thing, even among a number of Democrats who think it could be construed as not supporting the troops. So Murtha’s proposal is a way to get at the same goal without holding a vote to cut funding.” – CBS Evening News Correspondent Sharyl Atkisson, February 15, 2007

Broken Promise: “After months of denying that they were about to cut off funding for the troops or impose a rigid timeline for withdrawal from Iraq, the Democrats in Congress are about to do just that.” – “The Defeatist Democrats,” New York Sun Editorial, March 9, 2007

DEMOCRATIC PROMISE #36: Fund Key Intelligence Programs
Promise: “We all, Democrats and Republicans alike, take very seriously our responsibility to protect the American people. We know the important role that intelligence plays in that.” – Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Press Conference, January 8, 2007

Promise: “This bill contains robust funding for critical intelligence programs …” – House Intelligence Committee Chairman Sylvestre Reyes (D-TX), Floor Remarks, May 10, 2007

Broken Promise: Democrats pledged to provide full funding for critical intelligence programs – but just months after taking power, they took precious resources away from critical intelligence programs and used the money to fund research on global warming instead. “Led by U.S. Rep. Sylvestre Reyes of Texas, a coalition of D.C. Democrats say national security will be better served if CIA cash is used for global warming research – because apparently there just aren’t enough people studying the issue out there.” – “‘Intelligence’ Committee Threatens National Security,” Detroit News Editorial, May 13, 2007

Broken Promise: “One defeated amendment, offered by the Intelligence Committee’s top Republican, Peter Hoekstra of Michigan, would have deleted a requirement that the intelligence community produce a report on the national security ramifications of climate change. Democrats and Republicans fought bitterly over the requirement, with Republicans alleging that an assessment of global warming’s implications for national security would be a waste of intelligence resources ….” – “House Passes Intelligence Measure,” Congressional Quarterly, May 11, 2007

DEMOCRATIC PROMISE #37: Increase Human Intelligence
Promise: “To defeat terrorists and stop the spread of weapons of mass destruction, we will…increase our human intelligence capabilities.” – Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) “A New Direction for America,” Page 5

Broken Promise: In May, just months after taking power, House Democrats approved cuts to classified human intelligence programs to combat radical Islamists – then voted en masse against a Republican motion that would have increased funding for human intelligence programs by $23 million by shifting funds away from an illegitimate earmark requested by senior Democratic Rep. John Murtha (D-PA). – Roll Call Vote #340, May 11, 2007

DEMOCRATIC PROMISE #38: Reclaim American Leadership
Promise: “Reclaim American leadership with a tough, smart plan to transform failed Bush Administration policies in Iraq, the Middle East and around the world.” – Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) “A New Direction for America,” Page 1

Broken Promise: “It [Democrats’ plan] is an initial step by newly empowered congressional Democrats to completely undermine the war by limiting funds – to deny the troops the beans and bullets they need to win, and to broadcast to America’s enemies in the Middle East and around the world that the United States has lost the will to protect itself, and its friends.” – “Dems’ Disgrace,” New York Post Editorial, February 17, 2007

DEMOCRATIC PROMISE #39: Renew Strategic Alliances
Promise: “…renew longstanding alliances that have advanced our national security objectives.” – Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) “A New Direction for America,” Page 5

Broken Promise: Instead of renewing alliances with countries that support our national security objectives, Democratic leaders have reached out to nations that sponsor terrorism, over the objections of the U.S. Department of State. “House Speaker Nancy Pelosi apparently is willing to meet with Syrian President Bashar Assad – even though Syria has supported terrorist organizations Hamas and Hezbollah and allowed terrorists to cross the Syrian border with Iraq to attack U.S. troops… – “Pelosi’s Syriana,” San Francisco Chronicle Editorial, April 12, 2007

DEMOCRATIC PROMISE #40: Defend Human Rights
Promise: “…lead international efforts to uphold and defend human rights.” – Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) “A New Direction for America,” Page 5

Broken Promise: Despite promises to uphold and defend human rights abroad, Democratic leaders have been largely silent on such issues, most notably during Speaker Pelosi’s widely criticized trip to Syria. “Pelosi and the Dems should begin crafting a new vision for the region by tying American aid and military support to substantial and publicly declared steps toward democracy and respect for human rights – not only in Iraq, but in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Pakistan. And not more trips like Pelosi’s junket to Syria without loud public demands for human rights reforms. – “Pelosi’s Petty Politics,” New York Daily News Editorial, May 27, 2007

DEMOCRATIC PROMISE #41: Strengthen Intelligence Oversight
Promise: On naming Rep. Silvestre Reyes (D-TX) the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee: “Congressman Silvestre Reyes has impeccable national security credentials.” – Speaker-Elect Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Press Release, December 1, 2006

Broken Promise: “Six-term Texas Democrat Sylvestre Reyes, the incoming chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, revealed to Congressional Quarterly Friday that he does not know whether al-Qaida is Sunni or Shiite Muslim (answer: Sunni). Reyes also could not say what Hezbollah is (answer: the Lebanon-based militia behind the 1983 Beirut bombing that killed more than 200 U.S. Marines).” – “Intel 101,” Press-Enterprise (Riverside, CA) Editorial, December 13, 2006

DEMOCRATIC PROMISE #42: Promote “Smart & Tough” Security
Promise: “Democrats are committed to protecting our country with real security initiatives that are smart and tough.” – Then-Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) Press Release, October 25, 2006

Broken Promise: House Democrats brought legislation to the House floor supporting the transfer of responsibility for a critical national security program to the United Nations, and then 230 Democrats voted against a GOP motion-to-recommit which would have would have prohibited this transfer of responsibility and made clear that America’s national security is the responsibility of America alone. – Roll Call Vote #14, January 4, 2007

DEMOCRATIC PROMISE #43: Protect U.S. Borders
Promise: “I believe there is virtually unanimous agreement in the Congress that we must secure our borders and know who is entering our country.” – Then-House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, Press Release, May 25, 2006

Promise: “Democrats are for the rule of law, we want to get border security right. . .We would do what’s necessary to protect our borders ...” – Then-House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, Press Release, December 15, 2005

Broken Promise: Just six months after Democrats took power in the House, 214 House Democrats voted against a Republican proposal to “provide the funds necessary for the construction of at least two layers of reinforced fencing, the installation of additional physical barrier, roads, lighting, cameras, and sensors pursuant to section 102(b)(1) of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigration Responsibility Act of 1986…” – GOP Motion to Recommit on H.R. 2638, Roll Call Vote #490, June 15, 2007

Broken Promise: 218 Democrats voted against an amendment by Rep. John Carter (R-TX) to strike new bureaucratic hurdles in the Homeland Security Appropriations bill designed to undermine the Department’s efforts to complete the construction of the fence along the border. As Brit Hume said recently on Fox News: “House Democrats added more than a dozen new rules the administration must meet before it can spend more money on the border fence.” – Special report with Brit Hume, Fox News, June 18, 2007

DEMOCRATIC PROMISE #44: Allow Fair & Open Debate on Iraq
Promise: “In perhaps the biggest break from the current practices of GOP leaders, Pelosi said she would be willing to lose votes on the floor.” – “Pelosi: Bipartisanship Gets Major Role If Democrats Regain Control of House,” CongressDaily AM, May 18, 2006

Broken Promise: Just weeks after taking power – faced with the possibility that a Republican resolution on Iraq could pass with some Democratic support – House Democratic leaders showed they are not willing to lose votes on the floor, by shutting out the GOP and refusing to allow Republicans to offer its alternative measure. “After more than a week of discussion over how – and whether – to allow the Republican minority to raise its alternative to a resolution condemning President Bush’s proposed troop increase in Iraq, House Democratic leaders opted Monday night to prevent the GOP from offering its own measure.” – “GOP Boxed Out on Iraq; Democrats Change Debate Plan,” Headline, Roll Call, February 13, 2007

DEMOCRATIC PROMISE #45: Make America Safer
Promise: “Today we begin our first 100 hours, our policy package. We will begin by making America safer…” – Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), National Public Radio, January 9, 2007

Broken Promise: “Congressional Democrats voted to cut funds for a Europe-based missile defense system …” – “Dems Look to Halt Missile Defense,” Centre Daily Times, June 7, 2007

DEMOCRATIC PROMISE #46: Destroy Al Qaeda Networks
Promise: “[Democrats want to]...destroy terrorist networks like al Qaeda...” – Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) “A New Direction for America,” Page 5

Broken Promise: During their first six months in power, Democratic leaders tried repeatedly to stop U.S. forces from engaging in military operations against al Qaeda in Iraq, even contradicting statements made by America’s generals in the field concerning the nature of the enemy. Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) called it disingenuous to “claim that the fight in Iraq is primarily against Al Qaeda.” – Press Statement, April 25, 2007. General David Petraeus, however, said “a number of Sunni Arab tribes” in Iraq were joining “the fight against Al Qaeda, saying ‘No more, they've had it’ and linking arms with the coalition to take on Al Qaeda in one city after another...” - General David Petraeus, Press Conference, April 25, 2007

DEMOCRATIC PROMISE #47: Send Additional Troops to Iraq
Promise: In December, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Silvestre Reyes stated, “We have to consider the need for additional troops to be in Iraq, to take out the militias and stabilize Iraq … I would say 20,000 to 30,000 – for the specific purpose of making sure those militias are dismantled, working in concert with the Iraqi military.” – “We Can’t Afford to Leave,” Newsweek, December 5, 2007

Broken Promise: “All of a sudden, Reyes disagrees with Bush, which is to say, with his own original position. ‘We don’t have the capability to escalate even to this minimum level,’ he explained. He went on to accuse Bush of pushing the same old Iraq policy, even though, again, Bush’s policy is identical to the one Reyes himself had been advocating just weeks before.” – Tucker Carlson, MSNBC, January 19, 2007

DEMOCRATIC PROMISE #48: Allow Vote on Alternative Iraq Resolution
Promise: On NBC’s ‘Meet the Press’ (February 11, 2007), House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) promised to give Republicans a vote on an alternative to the Democrats’ bill designed to choke off funding for troops in harm’s way:

REP. BOEHNER: If you are not going to cut off troops -- cut off the funding for the troops in harm’s way, why not allow Republicans to bring a resolution to the floor and let the House vote up or down on the resolution?

REP. HOYER: That’s a good question and you are going to have that opportunity.

REP. BOEHNER: When?

REP. HOYER: Initially the first thing we are going to do --

REP. BOEHNER: When?

REP. HOYER: Within the next 35, 40 days.

Broken Promise: To date, Democratic leaders have refused to allow a vote on the Republican resolution offered by Rep. Sam Johnson (R-TX) supporting America’s troops in harm’s way.