Seven Month Majority Progress Report
From making historic investments in the Chesapeake Bay to ensuring that more children in Maryland receive the high-quality education they deserve, the 110th Congress has been working non-stop over the past seven months making progress for the American people on the toughest challenges we face. We have passed significant legislation on important issues in order to defend our country, restore accountability, grow our economy, strengthen our families, and preserve our planet. The 9/11 Commission Recommendations have been enacted into law, the minimum wage increase has taken effect, and Democrats are changing the Iraq debate in a critical way. We are also working with both Democrats and Republicans to pass key legislation with strong bipartisan majorities. Of the 80 key measures passed by the House since January, nearly 70 percent have been supported by more than 50 Republicans. Indeed, only 10 percent of these 80 measures have passed on party-lines, with the support of fewer than 10 Republicans.
This past week, the House passed several pieces of legislation that continue to demonstrate how we are leading America in a new direction. The Children's Health and Medicare Protection (CHAMP) Act will ensure that 11 million American children have access to quality, affordable health insurance, 5 million of whom are currently uninsured. The CHAMP Act provides essential funding for Maryland to reach the 68,000 children who are eligible but remain uninsured in our state and it protects Medicare for our seniors by improving programs to keep it affordable and ensuring that seniors may continue to see the doctor of their choice.
The House has also passed energy independence legislation to reduce our reliance on foreign oil and, thus, strengthen our national, economic, and environmental security. Passage of this bill marks a critical step on the path to energy independence by promoting innovation and investment in home-grown bio-fuels, new energy technologies, and research in renewable energy. It also represents a commitment by this Congress to seek energy alternatives that will make our nation safer and our environment healthier as well as lower energy costs for consumers.
On August 2, we passed and sent to the President crucial legislation to help ensure our nation's global economic competitiveness for generations to come. America's greatest resource for innovation is in classrooms across this country. The legislation will train more of our students in math, science, engineering, and technology, to turn ideas into innovative technologies to boost our economy and create good American jobs.
Additionally, the House passed a lobbying reform bill with broad bipartisan support. The Honest Leadership and Open Government Act keeps our promise to clean up the 'culture of corruption' and change the way business is done in Washington. This bill shines a light on the legislative process and will help restore Americans' faith in their government.
Over the last several months, we have also been working hard to make progress on the bills that fund the federal government and vital services that benefit all Americans. In passing all 12 of our spending bills, we have made smart investments in key national priorities that will help lay the foundation for America's success in this new century. Altogether, these investments will help make our military stronger, our communities safer, health care more accessible, college more affordable, and our nation more energy independent.
Furthermore, we are making these investments within a budget that works to reverse years of record deficits and exploding debt and restores fiscal discipline once again to Washington. Democrats have shown and will continue to show in deed, not just word, that we are serious about fiscal responsibility. We are serious about moving forward with the people's business. And we are serious about moving this country in a new direction.
Seven months into the 110th Congress, I am proud to report that the new Democratic-led House is making significant progress in addressing the priorities of the American people. There is still more work to be done, however, and in the coming months we will to fight for fiscally responsible policies that make crucial investments in our security, education, health care and other national priorities.