[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 13 (Tuesday, January 23, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H843]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    STATE OF UNION ADDRESS PROVIDES OPPORTUNITY TO BEGIN WORKING IN 
                           BIPARTISAN FASHION

  (Mr. BRALEY of Iowa asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. BRALEY of Iowa. Madam Speaker, last November the American people 
demanded real results to improve their everyday lives and strengthen 
middle-class families. Tonight President Bush has the opportunity to 
change course and work in a bipartisan way to deliver results for 
America's families.
  The new Democratic Congress has not waited for the President to ask. 
In our first 100 hours, this House has already succeeded in passing 
legislation to raise the minimum wage, expand Federal funding for stem 
cell research, implement the recommendations of the bipartisan 9/11 
Commission, require negotiation for lower prescription drug costs, make 
college more affordable and end subsidies for Big Oil to invest in 
clean, renewable energy.
  Tonight I would hope that the President would voice support for these 
popular bills. After all, they received strong bipartisan support here 
in the House. On average, 67 Republicans supported each of these bills.
  The Democratic Congress looks forward to working with the President 
to take America in a new direction, but in order to do that, the 
President needs to realize that he cannot continue down the same road 
he has traveled for the last 6 years. We will see tonight if he has 
learned that lesson.

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