We are agents of change

As Democrats gather in Denver this week, you will hear more than just a memorable acceptance speech by an exceptional leader in Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.). With three-quarters of the American people feeling that our country is on the wrong track, you will also hear a bold agenda for change.

Nineteen months ago, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) made history and began a new era for America with the single crack of a gavel. Every day since, the difference between House Democrats and House Republicans has been clearly illustrated. While Republicans remain the party of no, veto, and the status quo, Democrats remain determined to forge a New Direction.

The accomplishments of the 110th Congress speak to our party’s commitment to addressing priorities that were long neglected by our Republican predecessors. In our first 100 hours, the Democratic-led Congress took what had become an auction house under the old Republican guard and turned it back into the people’s House. We banned gifts and travel from being paid for by lobbyists. We also stopped the revolving door between Congress and K Street. Our ethics rules are the toughest passed by any Congress in a generation and it took this Congress less than 100 hours to get it done.

Under Speaker Pelosi’s leadership, Congress raised the minimum wage for the first time in a decade, passed the largest increase in veterans’ healthcare in 77 years, and the largest increase in college financial aid since the original GI Bill in 1944. On the subject of the GI Bill, we also passed a new one for the 21st century to provide our heroes returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with the opportunity for a free college education.

After nearly eight years of a Republican energy policy written for and by Big Oil, America’s middle class families are feeling unprecedented pain at the pump. Under Democratic leadership, Congress has already raised fuel efficiency standards for vehicles that will save up to $1,000 in gas per car per year.

We have repeatedly offered up plans to end tax breaks for profitable Big Oil companies, crack down on price gouging and price-fixing by oil cartels, and increase domestic oil production on the more than 80 million acres of federal land already leased by the oil companies. In each and every case, the Republican response was “No.”

President Bush’s response was to threaten a veto. Now the status quo of high gas prices remains for families struggling to gas up their minivan.

Electing Barack Obama president and expanding the Democratic majority in Congress will set our country in a profound New Direction. Sen. Obama offers a bold vision for change. He will strengthen our military and restore America’s moral standing on the world’s stage. He will replace the failed energy policies we have now with a comprehensive plan to lower gas prices, fight global climate change, and put an end to the stranglehold that foreign oil has on our economy and security.

On the economy, the choice facing voters could not be clearer. In the past few months, John McCain has characterized President Bush’s economic record as “progress” and called Social Security an “absolute disgrace.”

Barack Obama, on the other hand, is committed to protecting and strengthening Social Security for the 42 million seniors who depend on it. He is equally committed to lowering taxes for middle class families, ending the tragedy of 42 million Americans who cannot afford health insurance, and building an economic framework that lifts every American family.

Considering that the Republican status quo has hurt families in every region of the country, our Democratic message of change is resonating everywhere from South Florida to Alaska. For the first time in more than 30 years, congressional Democrats picked up three Republican seats in special elections. These victories prove that strong Democratic candidates, who reflect the values and priorities of people in their districts, can compete and win anywhere.

On behalf of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, I welcome our arriving delegates. We begin our convention with the wind at our backs. Our presidential primary contest drove record Democratic turnout across America. The wave of Republican House retirements has helped us recruit more than 50 strong Democratic House candidates, who reflect America’s great diversity, and are true agents of change for their districts.

In 2006, the American people fired House Republicans for their misplaced priorities, corruption, and commitment to George Bush’s agenda. Generally, after a wave election like 2006, the majority party loses seats. This year, House Democrats have already beaten history in Illinois, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Now, we’re asking the American people to beat history again by electing Barack Obama president and hire Democrats across the country for the progress we’ve delivered and our commitment to ending the status quo in Washington. With a strong partner in Barack Obama, House Democrats are poised to move America in a profound New Direction.

Van Hollen chairs the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.