S.Res.199 - A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate regarding establishing a National Strategic Agenda.114th Congress (2015-2016)

Expressing the sense of the Senate regarding establishing a National Strategic Agenda.

Expressing the sense of the Senate regarding establishing a National Strategic Agenda.

Whereas the United States needs its leaders to pursue policies in the interest of the United States that are foremost national priorities;

Whereas the United States faces many fiscal and long-term policy challenges that not only threaten the opportunities, hopes, and aspirations of the citizens of the United States, but the overall ability of the United States to be a world leader in bringing peace and stability around the world;

Whereas the United States needs its leaders to unite behind common goals and concrete solutions to create the next generation of growth and opportunity;

Whereas a National Strategic Agenda can provide both a long-term vision and a priority list, oriented around common goals for the United States, both of which, as of May 2015, do not exist in the Federal Government;

Whereas adopting a National Strategic Agenda would bring a long-term vision to a policymaking process that has become too often dominated by short-term political considerations;

Whereas a National Strategic Agenda can provide a consistent framework and focus the attention of the Federal Government on the most urgent problems facing the United States;

Whereas millions of people in the United States are currently seeking employment opportunities to improve their lives and provide a better future for their children;

Whereas, as of May 2015, the Federal debt is higher as a percentage of gross domestic product than at any time since World War II and will be an unsustainable burden on future generations if left unaddressed;

Whereas the Social Security and Medicare benefits that millions of people in the United States have earned must be preserved and protected;

Whereas a fiscally responsible solution to secure Social Security and Medicare for future generations is needed now, as waiting longer will further jeopardize the ability to preserve and protect these programs;

Whereas the United States can become energy secure by pursuing an all-of-the-above energy plan that develops more affordable and sustainable domestic energy sources, increases energy efficiency, and builds a more reliable and resilient system for energy generation and transmission; and

Whereas the creation and implementation of a new National Strategic Agenda for the United States will require the participation of both the legislative and executive branch along with agreement by all parties to work together: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that—

(1) the 4 goals of the National Strategic Agenda are to—

(A) create 25,000,000 new jobs over the next 10 years;

(B) balance the Federal budget by 2030;

(C) secure Medicare and Social Security for the next 75 years; and

(D) make the United States energy secure by 2024;

(2) the Senate should strive to create, debate, and adopt policy solutions to achieve the 4 goals of the National Strategic Agenda to address the national interest and priorities represented by the agenda; and

(3) in achieving success toward the National Strategic Agenda, the goal of the Senate should be to reach solutions through—

(A) collaboration, not division;

(B) mutual respect, not partisan bickering; and

(C) a commitment to honor the public duty of the Senate to the United States as a body of representatives elected by people across the United States.