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DEMOCRATIC PROMISE #49: Restore Fiscal Responsibility
Promise: “Democrats offer a New Direction which includes fiscal responsibility.” – Democratic Caucus Chairman James Clyburn, Press Release, October 10, 2006

Promise: “We will work together to lead the House of Representatives with a commitment to integrity, to civility, and to fiscal responsibility.” – Speaker-Elect Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Press Release, November 16, 2006

Promise: “It is imperative to the future of our nation that we come together – Democrats and Republicans – and restore fiscal responsibility.” – Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Press Release, January 23, 2007

Broken Promise: “[Now-Democratic Whip James Clyburn (D-SC)] also said he loves appearing in the [Citizens Against Government Waste] Pig Book. ‘I want to be there as often as I possibly can for as much money as I possibly can,’ he said.” – “Clyburn Defends Budget Earmarks,” The Post and Courier (Charleston, SC), February 21, 2007

Broken Promise: “…Democrats resorted to begging, threatening and, worst of all, bribing members for their votes with $21 billion in pork-barrel projects…Loading a bill that’s supposed to keep our soldier in bullets, boots, and beans with pork-barrel bribes for congressional colleagues must be a low point in the history of the U.S. Congress. This destroys any pretense Democrats have to being a party of fiscal responsibility and good government.” – “Buying Votes; Military Funding Bill a Stain on Congress,” The Gazette Editorial (Colorado Springs, CO), March 27, 2007

Broken Promise: “It’s hard to say which is worse: [Democratic] leaders offering peanuts for a vote of this magnitude, or members allowing their votes to be bought for peanuts.” – “Pork Has No Place in ‘Emergency’ War Bill,” USA Today Editorial, March 22, 2007


DEMOCRATIC PROMISE #50: Keep Taxes Low for Middle-Class FamiliesPromise: Then-Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) promised, in response to a reporter’s question, that House Democrats would not raise taxes on middle-class families:

QUESTION: If Democrats do take back control of Congress, how concerned should the average American be about a possible increase in his or her taxes?

PELOSI: “Not at all. Democrats are talking about no deficit – we’re talking about fiscal responsibility.” – Press Conference, July 28, 2006

Broken Promise: “Democrats also put their stamp on managing the country’s finances with [a budget] effectively resulting in the largest tax increase in history.” – “Report Card; Sound, Fury Outweigh Substance So Far,” The Oklahoman Editorial, April 2, 2007. The Democrats’ budget includes a tax hike of at least $217 billion by fiscal year 2012, and includes a tax hike “trigger” that would reimpose the marriage penalty and cut the child tax credit in half, tax hikes that would have a direct impact on middle-class families.