Peter on the Issues
Fighting for the Taxpayers, Fixing the Economy
I staunchly opposed and voted against the ill conceived
$700 billion bailout bill that puts taxpayers on the hook for the mistakes of Wall Street executives and CEO's. Instead, I proposed
an alternative plan that would protect taxpayers and make Wall Street pay to solve this financial mess.
EDUCATION
As
someone who relied on financial aid to go to college, I believe it is essential to ensure the dream of a college education is a reality
for every student that wants one. I believe a well-educated workforce is vital to our economic strength and global competitiveness,
and that this nation must have a system of higher education that is both affordable and high quality. I opposed the Bush's 2005
Budget Reconciliation plan that cut student financial aid to cynically pay for millionaires' tax cuts. I also supported the 2007 College
Cost Reduction Act that increased Pell Grants and lowered interest rates on student loans; this bill increased federal student aid
by $20 billion--the largest increase in 65 years. I have also put my money where his mouth is. I've funded 177 need-based scholarships
at community colleges in his district from $290,000 in Congressional pay raises I refused to accept until the federal budget is balanced.
INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE
In a highly partisan Washington, DC, I've earned respect and can get things done. I served as the
ranking Democrat on the House Highways & Transit Subcommittee and was able to secure $200 million to reconstruct cracked and failing
bridges along I-5 and in other parts of the state. That was the single greatest allocation in the 2005 Transportation bill for any
Democrat -- House or Senate -- and it's the 5th largest allocation in the entire House of Representatives. Only I didn't stop there. I was also able to get changes in the state funding formula and local match. As chairman of the House Subcommittee on Highways &
Transit, I am working to move our transportation system into the future by promoting alternative transportation and transit options
to get people out of cars, improve our efficiency, and reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil. I am pushing for an economic stimulus
package to jump start infrastructure investments to create good paying jobs that can't be exported, stimulate the economy, and improve
our long-term economic viability.
FIGHTING FOR AMERICAN WORKERS
Fighting for more jobs is also at the heart of my efforts in Congress--jobs that provide a living
wage, have better benefits, are readily available, and provide a chance for young people to do better than their parents. During my
time in Congress, I've stood up to Presidents and leaders of both parties. When a very popular President Bill Clinton was ready to
jam through the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), I opposed it. I thought it would undermine the economic viability of
this country and the standard of living of working men and women here at home. NAFTA was supposed to create 170,000 U.S. jobs, but
it has resulted in a net loss of over one million jobs nationally and 40,000 jobs here in Oregon.
We need a trade policy
that brings and keeps jobs here at home that contains strong environmental and labor protections to help level the playing field with
other countries, and preserves our critical manufacturing capacity.
Experts say that if the trade deficit were cut in half, two
of the three million manufacturing jobs lost since 2000 would be restored. These are good paying jobs with benefits which help provide
families a middle-class standard of living.
HEALTHY FORESTS AND STABLE JOBS
The Forest Service estimates there is six billion board feet of thinning that needs to be done
in western Oregon and Washington forests to improve forest health. Thinning would create jobs, provide economic stimulus for timber
dependent communities, provide biomass for renewable energy, and help offset the need for part of the federal timber revenue payments
to counties.
I am drafting legislation that would double the current harvest on federal lands for the foreseeable future -- creating jobs, improving forest health, and providing more predictability for timber-dependent communities. Senator Wyden recently endorsed a similar approach. I'll be working with him to finalize legislation for introduction early in the next Congress.
PROTECTING
SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE AND GIVING HEALTH CARE TO ALL AMERICANS
In 2007, Congress restored most of the cuts the administration made in senior health care programs. In addition, we passed health care coverage for 10 million children and approved legislation to allow the reimportation of FDA approved prescription drugs to help lower the cost of prescriptions for all Americans. These are the first steps toward improving health care. I will continue to fight for a health care system that ensures affordable, quality health care for all.
LOWERING GAS PRICES
In 2007, we passed a sustainable energy policy base on conservation and renewable energy. Every American felt the pain of paying more at the pump this year. To drive gas prices down, I am fighting for short-term price relief by stopping market manipulation and speculation -- boosting supply by requiring development of more than 10,000 idle leases on federal lands. My plan would tax windfall profits unless big oil invests in new production, exploration, refineries, or alternative energy. This plan would break our dependence on foreign oil with domestic production, renewable fuels, and new energy technologies.