Values

VALUES -- (House of Representatives - July 08, 2004)

(Mr. McDERMOTT asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. McDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, the administration likes to wrap itself in so-called middle-class values. Let us compare the rhetoric to the record.

This administration has gutted section 8 housing. America's most vulnerable citizens literally may be evicted from their homes as a result.

This administration has refused to extend unemployment benefits, even though the money is there to help America's economically disadvantaged.

This administration has rolled back environmental regulations, fouling the air we breathe and the water we drink.

This administration has lavished tax cuts on the rich, and crumbs on the middle-class.

This administration has underfunded education to such an extent that every child is left out, not just a few left behind.

This administration did such a good job of working with big drug companies that they were able to raise prices three times the rate of inflation before the prescription drug bill passed.

These are not middle-class values. Middle class values are common sense, common decency and the common good.

Middle-class values are going to return to the United States in 117 days.

Mr. Speaker, let the President know he ought to start packing. They are about to leave.