[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 1]
[House]
[Page 275]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




CONGRESS IS ACTUALLY GOING TO WORK 5 DAYS A WEEK TO MAKE AMERICA BETTER

  (Mr. COHEN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, as Democrats take control of Congress this 
week, the American people are going to see some stark differences in 
how we run this institution compared to the way it has been run for the 
last 6 years.
  First, the House is actually going to be in session 5 days a week 
most weeks. Last year, the Republican Congress was known as the do-
nothing Congress because it met fewer days than any Congress in 6 
decades.
  Not only is this House going to be in session more often, it is 
actually going to do its job while we are here. For years, Republican 
Congresses refused to conduct proper oversight of the Bush 
administration, instead choosing to rubber-stamp its policies.
  Democrats take oversight responsibility seriously, and are prepared 
to hold this administration accountable for its successes and its 
failures. In hearings, we're going to ask administration officials some 
tough questions so that we can make government work again for all 
Americans.
  Mr. Speaker, at a time when our Nation is at war and with so many 
domestic and international issues that must be addressed, the American 
people rightly want us here doing our job. The new Democratic Congress 
will not disappoint.
  On a personal note, as one of the new freshmen elected here, America, 
you have a great freshman class, a great deal of talent, and I think 
you can feel proud of your new Speaker, Madam Pelosi.

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