[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 11]
[House]
[Page 16224]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                                  JOBS

  (Mr. TONKO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. TONKO. Madam Speaker, far too many Americans hurt today. They 
hurt because of unfair tax policy. They've witnessed, as more and more 
reports are issued, that the top income stratum has seen its income 
grow by 275 percent, while those of more modest means have seen a 
growth of perhaps 15 to 20 percent, and far too many have seen no 
growth with a flat outcome. They also witnessed no meaningful jobs 
agenda coming from this House over the last 10 months. Throughout the 
course of the first session of the 112th Congress, they are waiting for 
a jobs agenda.
  So, Madam Speaker, as the House drags its feet, America struggles. 
Many struggle to find a job. Many struggle to keep a job. Many struggle 
to make ends meet. Many struggle to make student loan payments. Many 
struggle to pay those mortgages. We need to go forward with a 
progressive agenda that responds to strengthening the middle class, 
strengthening the purchasing power of the middle class. Without a 
strong middle class, there's not a strong America.

                          ____________________