Republicans owe the American people answers as to where they really stand.

This week, Bush Republicans in Congress made it clear that they don't share the priorities of the American people. Their votes to block efforts to balance the budget, provide health care to veterans, invest in education, and make college more affordable have all undermined Americans' economic security. Americans want change, not more of the same failed Republican policies. Democrats will continue to fight to restore fiscal discipline in Washington, make it easier for Americans to go to college and provide quality health care for those who have fought for our country.

This program will be an albatross around the necks of Republicans in 2006.

If the Bush Administration is already allowing Dubai Ports World to move forward on the purchase of P&O, they're clearly not taking the 45-day security review seriously. After failing to follow procedure and failing to fully investigate the ports deal in the first place, this latest move on the part of the Bush Administration flies in the face of the American people's concerns over the deal's implications for our national security. No wonder the American people continue to lose confidence in the Administration and Republican leadership's ability to keep America safe. Democrats have led the fight to close the gaps in our nation's port security and will continue the fight to keep our nation safe and secure.

These new revelations make it clear that the administration and the foreign government-owned company have not been forthcoming with the American people.

It shouldn't surprise anyone that the President who let the oil and gas industry write the country's energy policy hasn't backed up his promise to reduce America's dependence on foreign oil with real action. Sadly, the President doesn't have much credibility left. Instead of insulting the staff of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the voters of Colorado with a PR stunt and a lot of hot air, President Bush should join Democrats in working to promote true energy independence by restoring funding for research into renewable sources of energy that will create jobs, enhance our national security, and keep our economy the strongest in the world.