[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 118 (Wednesday, September 20, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H6740]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         PROVIDING A NEW DIRECTION ON ECONOMIC SECURITY ISSUES

  (Ms. SOLIS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my deep concern about 
the economic crisis facing American families under the failed policies 
of the Republican leadership.
  Housing construction has plunged to the lowest level in more than 3 
years. In fact, many families in my district can't even make their 
mortgage payments anymore. The average cost of food supplies is 
increasing, just like the increase in electricity bills.
  In my home State of California, gas prices have doubled in the past 5 
years to well over $3.50 in my district. Families with two cars in Los 
Angeles will pay an extra $2,330 per year for gas. That is higher than 
it was 5 years ago. The increase in gas prices will cost Los Angeles 
drivers an extra $9.2 billion this year alone.
  Real wages have not kept up with increased costs as well. In Los 
Angeles, workers there only make 84 cents on the dollar. In East Los 
Angeles, in my district, the unemployment rate is currently 7.1 
percent, compared to 4.9 percent for all of California.
  America's working families need a new direction, one that works for 
everybody and doesn't discriminate depending on where you live, instead 
of one that rewards the very wealthy at our expense.

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