[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 5 (Wednesday, January 10, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H257]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 DEMOCRATS TAKE NATION IN NEW DIRECTION

  (Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, this month Democrats 
will take action on a bold agenda that includes all Americans. During 
our first 100 hours of legislative work, we are going to expand 
economic opportunities to millions of Americans who have been left 
standing in need for 6 years at least.
  Hardworking middle class Americans feel like they have been left 
behind. While CEOs see millions of dollars in bonuses and large pay 
increases, middle class workers have faced stagnant wages for well over 
5 years. And while their wages remain virtually the same, they are 
trying to stretch every paycheck to better afford increasing education 
and health care costs.
  This month, Congress will give these families some much-needed help. 
For families trying to afford a college education for their children, 
we are going to cut student loan interest rates in half, which should 
save the average borrower about $5,000 over the life of the loan.
  For seniors struggling to pay for high price prescription drug costs, 
we are going to lessen the burden by giving the Federal Government the 
ability to actually negotiate for lower drug prices.
  Today we will give working Americans a minimum wage increase.

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