Hoffa Statement on Results of 2006 Mid-Term Elections

Today working families have new reason to believe in the ability of
their government to better their lives, as Teamster endorsed candidates
across the country prevailed at the ballot box yesterday. I congratulate
the victors and thank the thousands of Teamster members who invested
countless hours over many months to help elect a pro-working families
Congress.
Now is the time for action on issues such as universal health care,
retirement security, the Employee Free Choice Act, fair trade agreements,
safe highways and national security. This new Congress must reverse action
on the Bush administration's misplaced priorities.
This election marks an opportunity to move our domestic agenda in a
markedly different direction. It is an opportunity to cease the global race
to the bottom resulting from the endless series of job-killing trade pacts
passed by Congress. It is an opportunity to give all working Americans
access to affordable, quality healthcare. It is an opportunity to raise the
minimum wage. It is an opportunity to promote the rights of workers who
want to join a union.
Over the years I have had many conversations with Representative Nancy
Pelosi and Senator Harry Reid about how Democratic control of Congress
could directly benefit the lives of working Americans. I commend them for
their leadership throughout this campaign and congratulate their success in
electing Democratic majorities in the House and, possibly, the Senate.
But the truly difficult task still lies ahead. I look forward to
working with Rep. Pelosi and Sen. Reid to move our pro-worker, pro-union
agenda through Congress. In particular, I commit that the Teamsters are
willing to work overtime to help enact key provisions of Rep. Pelosi's
"First Hundred Hours" plan, including a raise in the minimum wage and
changing in the Medicare prescription drug program that will lower the cost
of medications.
The votes of working families made a difference at the ballot box. We
must now make sure this new Congress makes a real difference in their
lives.