New Rep. Foster to deliver Dem radio address

By Jim Tankersley

House Democrats have tapped their newest member to rebut President Bush on the airwaves this weekend.

Rep. Bill Foster (D-Ill.), who won a special election this month to replace retired former Speaker Dennis Hastert, will discuss the economy in this weekend's Democratic radio address. The speech will be broadcast across the country.

“Now, Democrats in Congress are fighting to cut taxes for middle-class families who need relief, and we’re working to keep families in their homes by addressing the mortgage crisis head-on," Foster will say, according to excerpts of the speech his office released today. "Next week, the House of Representatives will continue to work on a comprehensive plan to help families who are on the brink of losing their homes. Our plan will help more families avoid foreclosure and gives cities the chance to rehabilitate foreclosed homes and put them back on the market."

He goes on to urge an end to foreign oil dependence, additional alternative energy tax incentives and expanding a federal children's health insurance program.

“I am honored to be chosen to speak on a national stage on behalf of my constituents," Foster said in a press release. "From Dixon to DeKalb and from Geneseo to Geneva and everywhere in between, the problems of the 14th District are the same ones felt across the nation – and these are the problems, that both Democrats and Republicans, must work together to solve.”

Here are the other excerpts Foster released:

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“With gas and energy prices at an all-time high, we must make paying at the pump less painful and fight to end our dependence on foreign oil. Democrats have taken a step forward by enacting new fuel-economy standards, but we need to do more.

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“Democrats have a plan to extend essential tax credits that will support the production and use of renewable energy, like ethanol. Unfortunately, President Bush opposes this plan and is instead working to protect taxpayer subsidies for big oil companies. These companies are making record profits – and they don’t need handouts from the taxpayer.

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“We can begin confronting the health care crisis by expanding the Children’s Health Insurance Program and ensuring that no child goes without basic medical care. Democrats have been fighting to expand this program, but for too long President Bush has been the one man standing between millions of children and their health care. In the coming weeks, I would hope that the President would take the same approach to health care that he did with the economic stimulus: to put away his veto pen, sit down, and work with us to work out our differences. Our children need progress, and not more vetoes and political posturing.”