[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 12, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H3317]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1030
WALL STREET REFORM
(Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland asked and was given permission to address
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I join millions of Americans to
demand that finally Congress get to the business of reforming Wall
Street. Let's get a bill to the President and let's let him sign
something that benefits Main Street.
Eighteen months ago, I joined working families across the country in
anger and frustration over lax regulation that led to unfettered greed,
ultimately forcing Main Street to bear the burden of a Wall Street
bailout. In the wake of these unprecedented, though necessary, actions,
the American people demanded tough new regulations in exchange. Our
party has introduced legislation to put an end to taxpayer-funded
bailouts of Wall Street firms that bend the rules and avoid regulation.
But as I stand here today, these firms are nothing more than common
thugs working with their allies on the other side of the aisle to
continue their risky investing. So we have to send a clear message that
we will stand up for working people and reform the industry that almost
brought us to the brink of economic collapse.
Mr. Speaker, our colleagues in Congress face a choice: either stand
up for working people and our values or protect the greed and risk of
Wall Street. For me, the choice is really clear. It is time to put Wall
Street back in line with Main Street.
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