Senate bill mirrors House’s National Strategic Agenda resolution

The U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs hosted a public hearing on Monday to review a Senate companion measure to pair with U.S. Rep. Tom Reed’s (R-NY) House resolution calling for a National Strategic Agenda.

Earlier this year, Reed introduced House Resolution 207, which would establish a National Strategic Agenda. The agenda contains four key issues – creating jobs, balancing the national budget, securing America’s future energy sources and creating sustainability for the Social Security fund.

“Washington often loses sight of what matters most to the American people,” Reed said. “This initiative helps take the politics out of governing by ensuring Congress focuses on four basic priorities that most Americans can agree on. The resolution also encourages Congress to develop a common-sense, comprehensive plan to achieve each of these goals in order to move the country forward.”

With the National Strategic Agenda in place, Congress would be directed to focus its attention on achieving four main goals, which specifically include creating 25 million new jobs over the next decade, balancing the federal budget by 2030, securing Medicare and Social Security for the next 75 years and making the U.S. energy-independent by 2024.

The hearing coincided with the introduction of companion legislation by Sens. John Thune (R-SD) and Bill Nelson (D-FL). The Senate Committee heard testimony on the legislation from several panelists, including former Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) and former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman.

Reed’s House resolution is endorsed by the No Labels organization, a bipartisan national organization that urges elected officials across the country to prioritize their responsibilities to govern and guide the nation forward.