(iii) To update and continuously improve 
such fundamental laws and procedures as are 
required for the protection of private property, 
the functioning of public utilities, competitive 
markets, and such limitations on market activi-
ties as are necessary to promote the common 
good by protecting employees, consumers, and 
the environment. 
(3) OVERALL
DEMOCRATIC
PLANNING.—To 
mandate under law an overall planning process of 
legislative and executive action to help provide the 
essential remedies and resources needed to attain 
and maintain conditions under which all Americans 
may freely fulfill basic human rights and responsibil-
ities, including the right to dignity and to help re-
duce poverty, inequality, and the concentrations of 
economic and political power. 
(4) CONGRESSIONAL MONITORING AND INITIA-
TIVES.—To strengthen the constitutional checks and 
balances by providing continual congressional moni-
toring of the overall planning process through the 
activities of the Joint Economic Committee and the 
requirement of open debate and voting on the An-
nual Economic Policy Resolution.
(5) COOPERATIVE
INTERNATIONAL
LEADER-
SHIP.—To work with individuals and governments of 
other nations and the United Nations and its organs 
and specialized agencies in providing leadership for 
supporting basic human rights and responsibilities 
through the provision of sufficient remedies and re-
sources. 
SEC. 3. BASIC RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES. 
(a) UPDATING
THE
1944 ECONOMIC
BILL
OF 
RIGHTS.—The Congress reaffirms the responsibility of the 
Federal Government to implement and, in accordance with 
current and foreseeable trends, update the statement by 
President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the State of the Union 
message of January 11, 1944. The Congress therefore 
proclaims the following rights as continuing goals of 
United States public policy: 
(1) DECENT
JOBS.—(A) The right of every 
adult American to earn decent real wages, to a free 
choice among opportunities for useful and productive 
paid employment, or for self-employment. The right 
of every child not to have to work during school 
hours. 
(B) With more full employment at living wages, 
the economy will be more productive, attain higher 
levels of responsible and sustainable growth and pro-
vide more Federal revenues even without desirable 
changes in existing tax laws. 
(2) INCOME SECURITY FOR INDIVIDUALS UN-
ABLE TO WORK FOR PAY.—(A) Notwithstanding any 
other provision of law, the right of every adult 
American truly unable to work for pay to an ade-
quate standard of living that rises with increases in 
the wealth and productivity of the society. 
(B) With more full employment at living wages, 
more individuals will be able to earn a decent living 
without the help of welfare benefits or other transfer 
payments. 
(3) FAMILY FARMING.—(A) The right of every 
farm family to raise and sell its products at a return 
which will give it a decent living through the produc-
tion of useful food, with staged incentives for conver-
sion from unhealthy to healthier food or other prod-
ucts, with special attention to production processes 
that conserve soil, water, and energy and reduce pol-
lution. 
(B) With more full employment at living wages, 
the market for farm output will be enlarged, with 
less need for controls over output, or Federal, State, 
or local support prices or subsidies.