[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 16]
[House]
[Pages 21332-21333]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  SUPPORT FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

  (Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)

[[Page 21333]]


  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in 
strong opposition to any further potential cuts to Federal assistance 
programs.
  The Census states that 13 percent of Americans live in poverty and we 
have seen the face of poverty more glaring recently. In Dallas, my 
hometown, 23 percent live in poverty, almost double the national 
average.
  America's economy is weak. It is strong for the wealthy but it is 
weak for the poor. Gas prices are outrageous, the cost of this war is 
crippling, and continuing conflict is an embarrassment. Tax cuts to the 
rich are putting down the poor.
  Since the current administration took over, there are 5.4 million 
more people in poverty, 6 million more without health insurance. 
Americans need jobs, a decent minimum wage and affordable health care.
  Mr. Speaker, people living in poverty need help. We must strengthen 
Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security and temporary assistance programs, 
not cut them.

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