Date: 2006-07-12
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

I want to thank you for bringing those numbers. and I want to make sure that we get it into a chart. Let me just say this real quick. I have got this chart here. just as an example of who we are as it relates to sharing information that is accurate. versus some on the majority side that are well documented for not sharing accurate information to not only the Members of Congress and the minority side and some of their own Members. but also the American people. Case in point: $1.05 trillion that President Bush and the Republican Congress that you see here. borrowed from foreign nations. foreign nations. between 2001 and 2005. $1.05 trillion have dethronedthat is the new word42 Presidents before this President. 224 years of the history of this country. they have only been able to borrow $1.01 trillion. Now. Mr. DELAHUNT. this is my point. This is from the U.S. Department of Treasury. it is right here. Folks can go on the Web Site and get it. Now. if we were meeting in the .30Something Working Group and say. well. $1.05. well. maybe we need to. even though it happened all in 4 years and it took 224 years for this to happen. lets say $1.09. that sounds better. That would be misleading the American people and the Congress. Members are on the floor. and they take what we say to be truth to power. that we come and we are here leveling on behalf of the American people. We are not here to say what sounds good or what would sway a certain segment of th! population to feel one way or another. Folks woke up early one Tuesday morning from representation. not for someone to mislead them through statements here on this floor that are not accurate. That is the reason why we are in the situation that we are in now. Even when it comes down to the war in Iraq. Even when it comes down to the pursuit of Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan. The information is not accurate that has been shared with the American people and that is the reason why so many individuals are suffering as it relates to gas prices. These gas companies and these petroleum companies have been allowed to come into this Chamber with Members carrying their will and voting the way that they want them. to vote against their constituents. This is something. that we all feel passionate about and the American people feel passionate about. And. Mr. RYAN. as I yield to you. as. they go to the pump and hesitate before they put their debit card or credit card or whatever it may be into that pump about. how much is it going to cost me today to fill my tank up. they need to think about the individuals that are allowing these petroleum companies to take advantage of the American people. misleading the American people. And if I had my way and we were in the majority. I tell you. I guarantee you. that that practice would no longer take place. And when it does take place. we will come to the floor and knock it down. I commend Mr. DELAHUNT for bringing the misleading of the American people as it relates to information on who is sponsoring immigration bills in the Senate. and pointing out the fact that there would not be an immigration bill that passed out of the Senate if it was not for the Republican majority voting in the affirmative for the legislation. the same way as here in the House. 0l 1830