Press Releases

Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid sent the following letter today to President Bush requesting a bipartisan meeting of the Congressional Leadership as soon as the President returns from the Middle East to discuss a possible economic stimulus package.

"It is welcome news that Chairman Bernanke is signaling that the Fed will cut interest rates because the economy is slowing."

"With families struggling with the rising cost of home heating, it is imperative that the Bush Administration release $590 million of LIHEAP emergency heating assistance funds that will help seniors and working families keep warm this winter."

"One year ago, the President announced his plan to send thousands of additional U.S. troops toIraq. Despite the bravery of our men and women in uniform, the primary purpose of the President's surge policy has not been achieved: the Iraqi government is nowhere near political reconciliation that would contribute to regional stability."

"The New Direction Congress is committed to early action to stimulate and strengthen the economy on behalf of the majority of Americans who know the economy is headed in the wrong direction. We will work to make sure this effort is bipartisan and urge the President to join us."

"Like the American people, Democrats know that we urgently need a change of course in Iraq as political progress - the primary goal of the surge - remains out of reach."

"As the tragic shooting at Virginia Tech demonstrated last spring, serious gaps exist in the transmittal of background check records, thereby allowing thousands of people who are barred from buying guns to escape proper background checks."

"The economy needs a new direction that empowers the middle class and those affected by the economic slowdown."