[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 1]
[House]
[Page 49]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  DEMOCRATS RECOGNIZE THAT ECONOMY IS IN TROUBLE AND VOW TO WORK WITH 
                       PRESIDENT TO STIMULATE IT

  (Mr. ALTMIRE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. ALTMIRE. Madam Speaker, as Congress resumes this week, our 
priority must be to work in a bipartisan fashion to address our 
struggling economy.
  There is no way to sugarcoat this economy. Over the past 12 months, 
wages have fallen, forcing hardworking middle-class families to work 
harder for less. As a result, family debt is at an all-time high and 
household debt averages an average 133 percent of disposable income. 
Last year, families were spending 14.5 percent of their disposable 
income to service their own debt, and middle-class families are having 
a harder and harder time just making ends meet.
  Democrats want to work with President Bush to create a bipartisan 
economic plan that is timely, targeted, and temporary. Economic experts 
say this is the best way to stimulate the economy. Last Friday, 
congressional leaders sent a letter to President Bush asking him to 
come to the table so that a bipartisan plan can be reached.
  Madam Speaker, the American people need our help during this 
uncertain economic time. We cannot wait any longer to help this 
economy, and the only way it can be done is if we work together.

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