News
Log Cabin Republicans Unveil 2005 Legislative Agenda
Reform Agenda Highlights GOP Leadership on Key Legislative Initiatives
January 18, 2005
(Washington, DC) – Log Cabin Republicans unveiled an ambitious 2005 legislative agenda of reform. "There is a clear opening for real reform in the 109th Congress. There is a tremendous opportunity for gay and lesbian Americans and our allies to play a key role in the important debates on Capitol Hill and to benefit from the enactment of many Republican reform proposals," said Log Cabin Republicans President Patrick Guerriero. "Log Cabin has a special responsibility to be a powerful voice for gay and lesbian Americans during these critical debates about reform."
"Log Cabin looks forward to working with our GOP allies in the House and Senate, as well as the Bush administration, in the coming months to make sure these reform proposals become law," said Chris Barron, Log Cabin Political Director.
"Log Cabin has shown its willingness to put principle over politics in order to advance equality for gay and lesbian Americans. Our 2005 reform agenda will give the gay and lesbian community several opportunities to put partisan politics aside and support reform initiatives that provide real benefits for all Americans," concluded Barron. Log Cabin plans an aggressive lobbying campaign to support its 2005 reform agenda.
- SOCIAL SECURITY REFORM
Log Cabin Republicans support comprehensive Social Security reform. Social Security faces serious financial trouble as baby boomers move toward retirement. According to the Social Security system's Board of Trustees, the system will begin running a deficit by 2018. By 2042 the Social Security system will be insolvent. According to the bipartisan Concord Coalition, "Social Security's problems begin long before its trust funds become insolvent." It's clear that we must have comprehensive Social Security reform to guarantee the program's future. It would be irresponsible to ignore this problem and pass it on to the next generation. Social Security reform must include personal savings accounts. Personal savings accounts would:
- Create Private Property – As a result, all Americans, including gays and lesbians, could pass on accumulated assets to anyone they choose.
- Provides Basic Fairness for Gay and Lesbian Couples – Personal savings accounts would allow gay and lesbian couples to have a portion of their hard earned tax dollars passed on to their surviving partner. They are prevented from doing this today.
- Provide Higher Returns – Even the most conservative investors would yield returns higher than those promised under the current Social Security system.
- Create Wealth – Every worker would become a shareholder in the U.S. economy and would, through private investment, be able to accumulate wealth.
- Empower Individuals – Individuals would control their retirement and would see their accounts grow as a result of their hard work.
- Improve the U.S. Economy – Economists believe that personal savings accounts would benefit the U.S. economy by increasing savings and investment.
- Create Private Property – As a result, all Americans, including gays and lesbians, could pass on accumulated assets to anyone they choose.
- TAX REFORM
Log Cabin supports comprehensive tax reform. Log Cabin believes that lower taxes are fundamental to growing the U.S. economy. We believe the current tax system severely disadvantages gay and lesbian families. In particular Log Cabin supports:
- Passage of the Domestic Partners Health Benefits Equity Act – This legislation, sponsored by Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR), would end the double taxation of domestic partner benefits provided by employers. Under current federal law, married heterosexual employees do not pay taxes on their employers' contribution for health insurance benefits, while lesbian and gay employees do. Additionally, because employers must pay payroll taxes on their employees' taxable incomes, employers who provide these benefits are taxed at a higher rate as well.
- Repeal of Death Tax – Permanent repeal of the death tax would benefit gay and lesbian couples. Married couples are allowed a "marital deduction" that shields assets from taxation when one spouse dies. Gay couples are prevented from getting the same benefit. As a result, without permanent repeal, gay couples would be subject to the 55% death tax twice.
- Overhaul and Simplification of the Tax Code – Log Cabin supports a dramatic overhaul and simplification of the tax code.
- Passage of the Domestic Partners Health Benefits Equity Act – This legislation, sponsored by Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR), would end the double taxation of domestic partner benefits provided by employers. Under current federal law, married heterosexual employees do not pay taxes on their employers' contribution for health insurance benefits, while lesbian and gay employees do. Additionally, because employers must pay payroll taxes on their employees' taxable incomes, employers who provide these benefits are taxed at a higher rate as well.
- IMMIGRATION REFORM
Log Cabin supports immigration reform. As part of any immigration reform package, steps should be taken to level the playing field for gay and lesbian couples, particularly for those couples whose relationships have been granted legal recognition by any jurisdiction. Under current law, gay and lesbian couples, unlike heterosexual couples, are unable to petition to have their partners immigrate to the U.S. As a result, thousands of couples are forced to live apart. - HIV/AIDS FUNDING AND REFORM
Log Cabin supports increased funding for the treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS. Log Cabin also supports a close examination of the way HIV/AIDS programs are administered. We also support reform of those programs where such reform is needed. In particular Log Cabin supports:
- Reform and re-authorization of the Ryan White CARE Act which provides treatment for people with HIV/AIDS.
- Reform and increased funding for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP).
- Strong Intellectual Property protection to encourage the development of life-saving medication.
- Reform and re-authorization of the Ryan White CARE Act which provides treatment for people with HIV/AIDS.
- OTHER KEY ISSUES
In addition to the issues listed above Log Cabin continues working with our allies in the gay and lesbian community to advance a number of other key issues, including:
- Support for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA)
- Support for the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act (Hate Crimes)
- Support for repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, which bans gay and lesbian service members from serving openly and honestly
- Defending our U.S. Constitution against any anti-family Constitutional amendment
- Working with our allies in the Senate to ensure that fair-minded jurists are appointed and confirmed to the federal bench
Copyright © 2024, Georgia Log Cabin Republicans, Inc. - Support for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA)