The good people of america, today we enter a new era in american government. Today, one Political Party is listening to the concerns of the American People. And we are respon in with specific legislation. We are united here today. Over 150 current members of the house and over 200 candidates united in the belief that the peoples house must be wrested from the grip of special interests and handed back to you, the American People. Unhappily, americans today are cynical. They are tired of broken promises. Tired of being misled. Tired of spin from a white house that seems to govern on the principle that you can fool the people. Some of the time and tired of a congress that raises their taxes and wastes their money through the lens of cspan cameras. Americans are just dismayed by the sight of a revered institution corrupted by absolute power. A house of representative that now routinely stifles free and open debate cobbles together thousands of pages of bills behind closed doors and refuses to live by the laws it imposes on everyone else. And most damaging, has adopted as its central philosophy, the belief that ordinary people cannot be trusted to spend their own money and make their own decisions. If the American People are willing to let us, were going to change all that. Today, we republicans are signing a contract with america. We pledge ourselves in writing to a new agenda of reform, respect and renewal. Reform of congress and other government institutions. Respect for the people we serve and represent, and renewal of the American Dream that each day seems to slip further from the grasp of too many of americans families. We make this explicit offer. Give us majority control of the house of representatives for the first time in four decades, and we will bring to the house floor on the first day real congressional reform. In the first 100 days. We will bring to the vote ten bills that would have an immediate and real impact in the lives of ordinary americans. We will bring all these bills to the floor for an up and down vote. And with open and fair debate, where everyones views are heard as we embark in a new direction for congress and a new partnership with the American People. We put these bills in a contract so people can hold us accountable and theres an enforcement laws we explicitly state if you give us control and we dont do what we say, throw us out. We mean it. We mean it. And we take it as an article of faith that the American People will mean it to our contract with america agenda as has been put together by everyone you see here today, working together to draft common sense legislation to address the many real problem jobs where government can play a proper role. The ten bills that make up our contract with america are available now and full legislative language. Unlike the Current Ruling Party in congress that routinely forces us to vote on a thousand page bills without a chance to read them. We are not afraid to subject our work to do the purify and light of day. Let me say that again. Unlike the current ruling majority in congress, that repeatedly brings thousand page bills to the floor and does not give us a chance to read them. We are willing to let our work be seen in the light of day. Now, today. We are making a contract today to run congress in the open with full participation of the American People. If you just give us the opportunity, our contract with america is just the opening 100 days of a carnival government. The contract is not the answer to every problem facing america today. It is an honest beginning and an effort to invest this election with some positive meaning. Because running solely against an unpopular president would only deepen the public cynicism. Winston churchill once said, americans always do the right thing after theyve exhausted every other possibility. After 40 years of uninterrupted control, the democrats have exhausted every other possibility. Its time for the Republican Party to accept the role of leadership. The American People are demanding. Today we pledge to britain to begin by bringing relief to the average family, which now pays more in taxes than food. Shelter and clothing combined. By cutting the size and influence of the federal government and by restoring accountability to the political process. In short, we proposed a seat back power from the hallowed halls of congress to the more hallowed Kitchen Tables of america, where night after night families, families bow their heads in thanks and make decisions about education and charity values, jobs, spending, and balancing budgets with our wisdom and our compassion that no number of agency heads, cabinet secretaries or members of congress could ever match. Our country recognizes the limits of government and the unlimited contribution of husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, children and grandparents in a safe and prosperous america. It is now my pleasure to introduce congressman bill paxon of new york, who chairs the National Republican congressional committee. Bill made sure that candidates had as much input in this document as sitting members, and he has largely responsible for the prospect of electing the first Republican House majority in 40 years. Thank you very much. Ladies and gentlemen, this is truly an historic day. It was 40 years ago when republicans were last in the majority. The same year that i was born. We lost our majority in 1954. And i felt guilty ever since. Today is the day we as republicans make our camp back with the people to take back their house and restore our faith in the institution of the congress. Ladies and gentlemen, this contract is truly of, by and for the American People. Its tenants rise from the common sense of the coffee shop. The business sense of main street, and the values that come from folks in living rooms, in towns large and small, across the great land that lies in front of this capitol. The problem with the debt with our democratic colleagues who find fault with this contract is clear. Its been 40 long years since theyve left this building. Its 40 years since they walked down the stairs, 40 years since save listened to folks back home in those coffee shops along those main streets. Well, the democrat two huddled here pursuing their agenda. The men and women gathered on these steps have listened back at home. And today, bring the American Peoples agenda. This country act with america to the peoples house. Lets give a hand to those who played a key role as architects of this historic contract. The 200 candidate who will compose the republican class of 1994 and the United States house of representatives. Now im very pleased that our candidates and our incumbent members will be presenting each of the ten planks of our platform, our contract with america, and the first group to come forward is led by lamar smith, the member from texas, and joined by three candidates, outstanding candidates from connecticut, ed monster from wisconsin, mark neumann, and making the presentation on behalf of this group from new york, bob moffatt. Please come forward. I am proud to stand before you today to present our contract with america for you. See, this is noordin arie political document. This contract is a unique experience in american history. It was not written by special Interest Groups or the lobbyists. It was not pushed on us by national leadership. No contract with america was created by all of us individually and together. We heard what our voters were saying and we have chosen to act on it. We are ready to approve business and usual in washington just wont do. Its time to return government to the people. Isnt it time we hold Congress Accountable for how much they spend and for what. The American People demand . Responsibility from congress . This madness must stop. Our contract with america begins with fiscal responsibly, kitty. Just as every american sits at their Kitchen Table and has to balance a budget. And just as every Small Business has to balance their budget. Congress must begin balancing our nations budget. Thats why in the first 100 days of a Republican House, we will vote on the fiscal responsibility act. Our contract with america calls for a balanced Budget Amendment to the constitution. And and to Keep Congress from passing the bill to you. Our balanced Budget Amendment requires a 3 5 vote to raise taxes. And to increase accountability for the budget. Our contract calls for a line item veto to give the president , republican or democrat, the authority to cut wasteful pork barrel spending. Now, balancing our budget will not be easy. It will require a fundamental restructuring of government. We believe the American People are ready for government that does less of the wrong things, but does the right things well. The balanced Budget Amendment is supported by 80 of the American People. As the ruling party in congress has ignored the people on most issues, it has also ignored them on spending as well. By twisting arms to block the balanced Budget Amendment, the ruling party has protected its irresponsible, bold tax and spend policies that have weakened this great nation. With the help of the American People, we will put our fiscal house in order. Thank you very much. Thank you. Once. Our next group of presenters, the taking back our streets act led by our republican member, Bill Mccollum from the state of florida. He is joined by former colleague and soon to be colleague again, frank riggs. From california, Kenny Hulshof from missouri. And making the presentation, megan oneill from the state of michigan. Thank you. Isnt it essential part of the American Dream, the ability to live free of fear . The American Dream cannot survive without safety and security for individual americans. For all of us. When our children are afraid to attend school, when a husband and wife are afraid to walk to their grocery store. And when society as a whole is being threatened. Government. Government must meet its responsibility to protect our schools, our streets and our neighborhoods. Our contract with america calls for tough punishment for those who prey on society. For too long, washington has refused to get tough. And even when they sound tough, there are always loopholes that benefit the criminals, not the victims. Our contract will make the Death Penalty real. No more analysts appeals. And we will. We will cut the pork in the recently passed crime bill in order to build real prisons. And we. And we will require criminals to serve their sentences, not have them back on the streets to terrorize again and again. And to make criminals more accountable. We will force them to pay full restitution to their victims or their victims families. And to those who commit felonies with guns. Let me be part particularly clear. We will require ten years in jail, minimum. No exceptions. We call we call this bill the state, the taking back our streets act. And it will be voted on in the first 100 days of a Republican House. Its time, all of us felt safe and secure. Once again, thank you. Megan. Thank you very much. Next, the personal responsibility act, led by two members, dave camp from michigan and jim talent from missouri. Joined by three of our next generation of representatives, roger wicker from mississippi. Andrea c strand from california. And making the presentation. Steve chabot from the state of ohio right. Isnt it time for the government to encourage work rather than rewarding dependance . Yes. Yes. The Great Society has had the unintended consequences of snaring millions of americans into the welfare trap. Government programs designed to give a helping hand to the neediest of americans have instead bred illegitimacy. Crime, illiteracy and more poverty. Our contract will change this destructive social behavior by requiring welfare recipients to take personal responsibility for the decisions they make. In our contract. Well, achieve what some 30 years of massive welfare spending has not been able to accomplish. We must reduce illegitimacy, require work, and save taxpayers money. All right. To reverse skyrocketing outofwedlock births that are ripping apart our nations social fabric, we provide no welfare to teenage parents, and we require that paternity and responsibility be established in all illegitimate births where welfare is sought. To ensure that welfare offers a helping hand rather than a handout. We require that welfare beneficiaries work so they can develop the pride and selfsufficiency that comes from holding a productive job. We are pledging truly to end welfare as we know it. America can still be the land of opportunity for all americans. But to succeed, we must make a break from the failed welfare policies of the past. Within the first 100 days of a republican congress. We will do just that by voting on the personal, responsible party act. Thank you. I see that. Next, the family reinforcement act led by our member from the state of nevada, barbara bacanovic, and joined by john papa george. From michigan, tim lefevre from california. And making the presentation. Jeanne lighting from the state of indiana. Shouldnt we do more to protect and strengthen the American Family . The American Family is at the very, very heart of our society. It is through the family that we learn values like responsibility, morality, commitment and faith. Today, it seems the values of the family are under attack from all sides. The media, the education establishment and yes, Big Government. Our family reinforcement act is profamily because it recognizes the value of families. We will strengthen the rights of parents to protect their children against Education Program aims that undermine the values taught in the home. We will crack down on deadbeat parents who avoid Child Support payments. Our contract protects children by increasing the penalties for assaults against children and by getting tough on child pornography. We will encourage adoption by providing a tax credit to assist families with the high cost of adoption and our contract to help ease the financial cost of caring for elderly loved ones. By creating a tax credit for dependent care. After 40 years of putting government first, the republic ends will put Families First by voting on the family reinforcement act. In the first 100 days of our majority in the house, its a change long overdue. Next, the American Dream restoration act. Our presenters, led by henry hyde from illinois, joined by tad joad from minnesota, John Christianson from the state of nebraska. And our presenter is the giant killer from the state of washington, senator linda smith. Come on up. Looks like we lost our leader, but i bet well do just fine anyway. Do you think your tax bills are too high . Yes. The you arent getting much pay for out of washington. Yeah. You know, in 1992, america was promised a middle tax tax relief package. However, the promise of the middle class tax cut quickly turned in to the largest tax increase in americas history. Good job. In the first hundred days of an american republican can greece where. Sounds good doesnt it . Were going to make good where others have failed on the American Dream restoration act. Our contract recommends that we build families back in as the Building Block of society unique idea, huh. Renewing the American Dream is our goal and renewing that dream starts at home with the family. To help families reach the American Dream, our contract calls for a 500 per child old tax credit to make raising families and kids just a little bit easier. This credit will actually cut an average family that has an income of 28,000 tax burden by a third. Were not just talking. Were going to do it. Second will begin to repeal the marriage tax penalty. The government should reward not punish, those who enter into the sacred bonds of marriage. And finally, we will create American Dream savings accounts to make it easier for average families to save money, buy a home, pay for medical expenses, and send their kids to college. Renewing the American Dream is what this contract is all about. By strengthening our families, we strengthen america. Thank you. All right, john, great job. Now the National Security restoration act, our prisoners led by Bob Livingston from louisiana, joined by jim nhlapo from illinois, or since wendell from hawaii. Walter jones jr from north carolina. And the presenter for this group, Saxby Chambliss from the state of georgia. Isnt National Defense the first and foremost priority of the federal government. For 40 years prior to the fall of the berlin wall . Americans stood shoulder to shoulder with <