[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 8]
[House]
[Page 11193]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  HOUSE GOP IGNORES THE ECONOMIC CONDITIONS OF AMERICA'S MIDDLE CLASS

  (Mr. MEEKS of New York asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. MEEKS of New York. Mr. Speaker, the House Republican Do-Nothing 
Congress refuses to do anything to address the economic conditions that 
have led to large majorities of middle class Americans feeling squeezed 
to make ends meet.
  Since taking control of both the White House and the Congress 5 years 
ago, Republicans have chosen to focus their attention on America's 
wealthiest, claiming the benefits would trickle down to the middle 
class. Well, Mr. Speaker, the American people have waited for 5 years, 
and they have not seen any results.
  Instead, they see a monthly paycheck today that is not much different 
than the one we received back in 2001. While their wages have stagnated 
a lot of their monthly costs have increased dramatically. Housing costs 
are at their highest levels in 14 years. Health care costs for the 
average family have increased more than $1,200. College tuition is up 
40 percent and gas prices have doubled. The middle class is indeed 
squeezed, and yet they are getting no help from the Republican Congress 
that chooses to listen only to the wealthiest few.
  Mr. Speaker, House Democrats are ready to take America in a new 
direction. We will start by listening to all of our constituents, not 
just the wealthy elite.

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