[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 1]
[House]
[Page 147]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               NEW CONGRESS REPRESENTS A NEW OPPORTUNITY

  (Mr. CICILLINE asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the 114th Congress of the 
United States convened for the first time. This new Congress represents 
a new opportunity to get to work on the priorities of the American 
people.
  We have a responsibility over the next 2 years to work together in a 
bipartisan way to create jobs, grow the economy, expand access to 
affordable education, and keep our communities safe.
  Last night, Democrats offered a new legislative package to grow the 
economy by creating better infrastructure and bigger paychecks for 
hardworking Americans. Unfortunately, House Republicans voted to block 
action on this important legislation.
  I am hopeful that this year we can cast aside partisan differences 
and work together to expand opportunities for hardworking Americans and 
their families.
  This month, I will be meeting with Rhode Islanders all across my home 
State to hear about their priorities as I develop my legislative work 
plan for the 114th Congress.
  By working together, I believe we can find common ground to make this 
Congress more productive than the last, accomplish the work that we 
were sent here to do, and create a brighter future for the people we 
serve.

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