[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 7 (Wednesday, January 11, 2017)]
[House]
[Page H313]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         YOUR VOICE DOES MATTER

  (Mr. BLUMENAUER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, there is lots of incredible news out 
there. The Trump press conference just makes your head spin, but we 
have seen that the public's voice does matter.
  Because of public outcry, within minutes after the late-night closed 
meetings, the Republican plan to gut the independent Office of 
Congressional Ethics was reversed. In response to outrage about 
jeopardizing health care for millions of Americans, some Republicans 
now admit that repealing the Affordable Care Act is not quite so simple 
and maybe they should come up with a replacement, even if they don't 
yet know how to do it. Senate Republicans even delayed some of the 
Cabinet confirmation hearings to allow a more orderly review and 
scrutiny.
  Your voice does matter.
  The President said last night that change only happens when ordinary 
people get involved, get engaged, and come together to demand it. 
Obviously, these fights are just beginning, but the last 10 days shows 
that together we can and will protect the values and programs so vital 
to America.

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