[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 17]
[House]
[Page 23583]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      WHAT DOES RAISING THE DEBT LIMIT MEAN FOR AMERICAN FAMILIES?

  (Ms. SOLIS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. SOLIS. Madam Speaker, today I rise because I am concerned about 
the impact of raising the debt limit on American families.
  One of my constituents recently wrote to me just 2 weeks ago 
questioning the credibility of the U.S. Government and wondering about 
her Social Security benefits. The median income in my district is 
approximately $41,394. The average Social Security benefit is only 
$11,940 per year. Seniors, children and veterans depend on Federal 
programs like the Pell Grant program, Social Security and Medicare. Our 
veterans especially, many of whom are disabled and many struggling 
financially, deserve these benefits. Yet America's growing debt will 
ensure that our children and our grandchildren are overtaxed for the 
rest of our lives.
  We need to have a plan to control the deficit. Democrats are fighting 
to put the budget on a pay-as-you-go system. Do not spend more than you 
earn. That is what our households are demanding, and we should take 
that advice here in the U.S. House of Representatives.

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