[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 161 (Thursday, December 15, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H11660]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      NEEDS OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE

  (Ms. SOLIS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. SOLIS. Madam Speaker, today I rise to express my strong 
disappointment in the misguided priorities of the Republican majority 
in Congress. As we are preparing to adjourn for this year, we have not 
addressed the real needs of the American people. In my district in East 
Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley and across this country, more 
and more families are being forced to make difficult choices. The 
absence of affordable housing, health care, a living wage for workers 
and high heating costs are just a few of the reasons that more people 
are slipping into poverty.
  According to the U.S. census, there were 37 million people living in 
poverty in 2004, an increase of 5.4 million during the Bush 
administration. In my district alone, 20,000 families live below the 
poverty line. We are failing the working men and women of our country, 
we are failing our children, and we are failing the senior citizens as 
well.
  I urge my colleagues today to work together to meet the needs of all 
American people and let's put their priorities first.

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