[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 147 (Wednesday, September 5, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H7830-H7831]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          WASHINGTON'S CULTURE OF CORRUPTION IS OUT OF CONTROL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Jeffries) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, wages are down; gas prices are up; and the 
culture of corruption here in Washington, D.C., is out of control. And 
all the while, the 45th President of the United States of America 
spends more time on the golf course than any other President in 
American history.
  Things are spiraling out of control. The stakes are incredibly high. 
Notwithstanding that, the 115th Congress has been one of the most 
unproductive Congresses in the history of the Nation.

[[Page H7831]]

  


                              {time}  1030

  Democrats and Republicans have two competing visions for what we need 
to do in order to make sure that every American can continue to 
experience the American Dream.
  Democrats, we want to move the country forward. Others want to turn 
back the clock.
  We are working hard to bring people together. Others are tearing us 
apart.
  We are fighting for working families and middle-class folks. Others 
are fighting for the wealthy and the well off.
  We believe in the public interest. Others are all about the special 
interests.
  Democrats are fighting for the people. Others are fighting for the 
privileged few. We are fighting for working families, middle-class 
folks, senior citizens, the poor, the sick, the afflicted, veterans, 
people in rural America, urban America, suburban America.
  Democrats are fighting for the people. But my colleagues on the other 
side of the aisle, unfortunately, are fighting for millionaires, 
billionaires, mega corporations, lobbyists, big donors, all to 
subsidize the lifestyles of the rich and shameless.
  Exhibit A is the Republican tax scam. That is their signature piece 
of legislation. That is what they are talking to the American people 
about.
  You are proud of the fact that you passed a bill where 83 percent of 
the benefits go to the wealthiest 1 percent in America, explodes the 
debt by more than $1.5 trillion, then you want to come back to Congress 
and lecture us about cutting Social Security and Medicare? Are you 
kidding?
  Our For the People agenda will focus on lowering healthcare costs, 
strengthening the Affordable Care Act, protecting people with 
preexisting conditions, more than 100 million Americans. They want to 
take away that protection. We are working hard to dramatically lower 
the cost of lifesaving prescription drugs. That is the Democratic For 
the People agenda.
  Wage stagnation is still a problem for the American people. The 
productivity of the American worker over the last 40-plus years has 
increased by more than 285 percent. During the same period of time, 
wages have gone up by less than 10 percent.
  The productivity gains of the American worker have not gone to the 
American worker, they have gone to the privileged few. What do the 
Republicans do about it? Pass a tax bill where 83 percent of the 
benefits go to the wealthiest 1 percent.
  We have a different idea for what should take place. We are fighting 
for the people through increased pay anchored in a real infrastructure 
plan that will fix our crumbling bridges, roads, tunnels, ports, mass-
transportation system; not a fake plan, it is a real plan. We will 
invest $1 trillion, create 16 million good-paying jobs, fight to make 
sure that everyday Americans can provide a comfortable living for 
themselves and for their families.
  And, lastly, we are going to fight to clean up corruption here in 
Washington, D.C.; not talk about it, actually get something done to 
make sure that Washington works for the American people.
  That is what you deserve. That is what Democrats are fighting hard to 
deliver: lower healthcare costs, increased pay, clean up corruption to 
make sure that Washington works for the people.

                          ____________________