Date: 2006-03-07
Speaker: JAMES CLYBURN (democrat)
Chamber: H

who is our chairperson. Also. we would like to come to the floor once again. Mr. Speaker. to share not only with the Members but with the American people the priorities not only of the Democratic Party. but of this side of the aisle on the Democratic side. and also the priorities of all Americans. Our vice chair. Mr. JOHN LARSON. communicates in the best way to many. many Democrats. Republicans. and tndependents about our plan on this side of the aisle. It would not be a plan. it would actually be action if we were in the majority. I think it *is important to come up with a comprehensive approach. Mr. Speaker. and using a team effort to move ui in the right direction as a country. whether it be homeland secutity. innovation. affordable health care. or other initiatives that we all embrace. If we can come together in a bipartisan way. then America will be stronger. and also other countries throughout the world will be stronger based on our leadership. Ungortunately. we are not providing that leadership right now. When I say "we." I am talking about the Republican majority coming together with .Democrats and finding a bipartisan way to approach many of the issues that are facing our country right now. That is very. very unfortunate. The work of the 30something Workiilg Group is to makesure that we can promote ideas that all Americans embrace. not just Democrats. Independents. and Republicans. but all Americans. even those that are not taking part in the voting process that we have throughout the country. One may call it apathy of voting. but I think that I would phrase it as a number of Americans having very little trust in this system. very little trust in what goes on here in the Congress. very little trust in what happens over at the White House. And I think it is very. very important that we have a paradigm shift. I will go further and add thatwe need a shift in thinking here in Washington. DC. so that all Americans feel a part of this process. so that all Americans feel that they are being leveled with. and that all Americans know that the individuals that they elected from their communities. their cities 6r counties. that they have their best interests at heart when they come here to the U.S.iHouse of Representatives. [ 2250 Today we are going to talk about a number of issues. issues that are facing everyday Americans and things that we should be promoting here as Membeis of the U.S. House of Representatives. some of the things I think are very disturbing that not only I am reading in the paper but Americans are reading in the paper and watching on the news. The whole issue as it as relates to port deals. America being sold off not by foreign countries but by the policy that we pass here on this floor that have accumulated more debt in 4 years to foreign nations. foreign nations are buying U.S. debt. unprecedented in the history of the Republic. Ever since we have been a country. no other time such as this time have other countries owned so much of our debt. I think it is important for us to remember because there are a number of my constituents and a number of Americans that have fought hard. Literally. their grandparents have fought hard for them to salute one flag. I think we are putting that spirit. that good history that we have afid the future they fought for to allow our children and grandchildren to salute 9ne flag. not to have foreign interests owning our debt. I think it is very. very important that we pay close attention- to that. I am glad to be joined tonight by Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ from South Florida. Congresswoman. I am glad we are continuing to have a level of consistency on not only challenging the Republican majority. The gentlewoman knows if we were in the majority. it would not be talk. We would be on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives talking about things that would make the lives better of Americans. I think the only thing that is stopping us from doing that is having enough votes in this House to have that vision turn into reality. I look forward to that day because I believe in this year Americans will have an opportunity to be able to promote their ideas and what they feel. Be it a Democrat. a Republican. a Green Party or an Independent. or a brand new voter. they will be able to have their voice heard.