[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 11]
[House]
[Page 15044]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  WHILE REPUBLICANS DIVIDE AND DISTRACT, DEMOCRATS ARE UNITED ON NEW 
                         DIRECTION FOR AMERICA

  (Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I whipped up my snake 
oil this morning. Snake oil, that is what every 2 years the Republicans 
whip out. Snake oil this week in Congress. That is, passing legislation 
that they know will never come into law.
  But Democrats are united in taking America in a new direction.
  This week marks the second anniversary of the release of the 9/11 
Commission recommendations. House Republicans have refused to institute 
their recommendations, receiving Ds and Fs from the 9/11 Commission on 
protecting the homeland.
  House Democrats want to make the recommendations into law as soon as 
possible. We want to secure the 25 million passengers who ride Amtrak 
each year, our neighborhoods, our ports, and our borders. Democrats 
want to ensure all Americans have access to good-paying jobs by raising 
the minimum wage and ending outsourcing. We want to make college more 
affordable.
  This time the American people will not be fooled. No more snake oil.
  We want to make college more affordable for middle class families by 
making some college tuition costs tax deductible, expanding Pell Grants 
and cutting interest costs on student loans in half.
  For too long, House Republicans have ignored the needs of hardworking 
middle class families. Their attempts to distract and divide won't 
work. The American people are ready for a change.

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