Pelosi and Reid Release State of the Union Response Excerpts

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Wed Feb-02-05 04:36 PM
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Pelosi and Reid Release State of the Union Response Excerpts

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Leaders Pelosi and Reid Release State of the Union Response Excerpts

Washington, D.C. - House and Senate Democratic Leaders Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid will deliver the response to the President's State of the Union Address. This afternoon, the leaders released the ollowing excerpts of their speeches:

REID ON SOCIAL SECURITY

"And that's why we so strongly disagree with the President's plan to privatize Social Security. Let me share with you why I believe the President's plan is so dangerous. There's a lot we can do to improve American's retirement security, but it's wrong to replace the guaranteed benefit that Americans have earned with a guaranteed benefit cut of forty percent or more. Make no mistake, that's exactly what President Bush is proposing."

"The Bush plan would take our already record high 4.3 trillion dollar national debt and put us another two trillion dollars in the red. That's an immoral burden to place on the backs of the next generation."

"But maybe most of all, the Bush plan isn't really Social Security reform. It's more like Social Security roulette. Democrats are all for giving Americans more of a say and more choices when it comes to their retirement savings. But that doesn't mean taking Social Security's guarantee and gambling with it. And that's coming from a Senator who represents Las Vegas."

REID ON BIPARTISANSHIP

"I want you to know that when we believe the President is on the right track, we won't let partisan interests get in the way of what's good for the country. We will be first in line to work with him. But when he gets off track, we will be there to hold him accountable."

PELOSI ON IRAQ

"Because of the courage of our servicemen and women and the determination of the Iraqi people, Iraq's election on Sunday was a significant step toward Iraqis taking their future into their own hands."

"Now we must consider our future in Iraq. We all know that the United States cannot stay in Iraq indefinitely and continue to be viewed as an occupying force. Neither should we slip out the back door, falsely declaring victory but leaving chaos... We have never heard a clear plan from this Administration for ending our presence in Iraq."

PELOSI ON HOMELAND SECURITY

"It's been three years since the attacks of September 11th. Our hopes and prayers will always be with the 9/11 families, who strengthen our resolve to win the war on terror. The pain and horror of that day will never be forgotten by any of us. Yet the gaps in our security exposed by those attacks remain."

"We can and we must keep the world's most gruesome weapons out of the world's most dangerous hands. Nothing is more important to our national security, and indeed to the safety of the world. For three years, the President has failed to put together a comprehensive plan to protect America from terrorism."

PELOSI ON VETERANS

"For those returning from military service today - our newest veterans - Democrats are calling for a G.I. Bill of Rights for the 21st Century, to guarantee access to education, health care and the opportunity for good jobs."