PROTECTING PARENTS, WORKERS, & CHILDREN

October 10, 2002

President Bush and Republicans have delivered a host of accomplishments that have helped to ensure a secure and prosperous future for American families. In just 22 months, House Republicans:

Ø Enacted a sweeping reform of federal education programs to close the achievement gap between disadvantaged students and their peers and improve academic results for all children.

Ø Passed pension reform legislation to help workers diversify and protect their 401(k) retirement savings from abuse.

Ø Passed legislation to strengthen the successful 1996 welfare reform law to help millions more Americans move from welfare to work.

Ø Passed a patients’ bill of rights to ensure health care quality for all HMO patients, with a cap on trial lawyers’ ability to profit from patients’ misfortunes.

Ø Passed legislation fixing outdated laws to give workers access to professional advice about their 401(k)s and investments.

Ø Revamped juvenile justice programs to give communities more freedom and resources to reduce youth crime and delinquency – breaking a six-year deadlock.

Ø Passed new protections for abused children and victims of family violence.

Ø Provided more than $500 million in emergency grants to help displaced workers maintain health coverage, childcare assistance, and job training during economic slowdown.

Ø Gave new options to parents with children in dangerous or chronically underachieving public schools, allowing them to transfer to better, safer public or charter schools.

Ø Provided student loan relief for U.S. military reservists called to active duty, relieving them from making payments while they serve our nation.

Ø Ensured children of military personnel do not lose their eligibility for free or reduced-priced meals if a family’s military housing is privatized.

Ø Held hearings on efforts to improve international student visa system to improve homeland safety and security.

Ø Held hearings on efforts to promote union democracy and protect the democratic rights of rank-and-file union members

Ø Took action to improve federal benefits process for victims of Black Lung illness from dust exposure in mines.