Nancy Pelosi in State of the Union address


On Civil Rights: Defend civil liberties as we protect America

As we protect and defend the American people, we must also protect and defend our Constitution and the civil liberties contained therein. That is our oath of office. A strong and secure America was our parents’ gift to us. We owe our children and our grandchildren nothing less.
Source: Democratic Response to 2005 State of the Union Speech Feb 2, 2005

On Homeland Security: Our ports and infrastructure are still not secure

Despite the administration’s rhetoric, airline cargo still goes uninspected, shipping containers go unscreened and our railroads and power plants are not secure. Police officers and firefighters across America have pleaded for the tools they need to prevent or respond to an attack, but the administration still hasn’t delivered for our first responders.
Source: Democratic Response to 2005 State of the Union Speech Feb 2, 2005

On Homeland Security: Greatest threat is unaccounted & unguarded WMD materials

The greatest threats to our homeland security are the tons of biological, chemical and even nuclear materials that are unaccounted for or unguarded. The president says the right words about the threat but he has failed to take action commensurate with it. We can and we must keep the world’s most gruesome weapons out of the world’s most dangerous hands. Nothing is more important to our homeland security, and indeed to the safety of the world.
Source: Democratic Response to 2005 State of the Union Speech Feb 2, 2005

On Homeland Security: G.I. Bill of Rights for the 21st century

Democrats are committed to a strong national security that keeps America safe, that wins the war on terror and that never again sends our troops into harm’s way without the equipment they need.

In our New Partnership for America’s Future, House Democrats have made a commitment to guarantee a military second to none; to stop the spread of weapons of mass destruction; to build strong diplomatic alliances; to collect timely and reliable intelligence to keep us safe at home; and to honor our veterans and their families by making sure they have the healthcare and benefits they have earned.

For those returning from military service -- our newest veterans -- Democrats are calling for a G.I. Bill of Rights for the 21st century to guarantee access to education, healthcare and the opportunity for good jobs.

Source: Democratic Response to 2005 State of the Union Speech Feb 2, 2005

On War & Peace: We cannot occupy Iraq indefinitely: We need an exit plan

We all know that the US cannot stay in Iraq indefinitely and continue to be viewed as an occupying force. Neither should we slip out the back door, falsely declaring victory but leaving chaos.
    We have never heard a clear plan from this administration for ending our presence in Iraq. Democrats believe a credible plan to bring our troops home and stabilize Iraq must include three key elements.
  1. Responsibility for Iraqi security must be transferred to the Iraqis as soon as possible. The top priority for the US military should be have for along time now training the Iraqi army.
  2. Iraq’s economic development must be accelerated. Congress has provided billions of dollars for reconstruction but little of that money has been spent effectively to put Iraqis to work rebuilding their country.
  3. Regional diplomacy must be intensified. Diplomacy can lessen the political problems in Iraq, take pressure off of our troops and deprive the insurgency of the fuel of anti-Americanism on which it thrives.
Source: Democratic Response to 2005 State of the Union Speech Feb 2, 2005

The above quotations are from State of the Union address to Joint Session of Congress, and the Democratic Response, Feb. 2, 2005.
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Page last updated: Feb 23, 2019