Unfinished Business

UNFINISHED BUSINESS -- (House of Representatives - December 12, 2005)

(Ms. PELOSI asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)

Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, as we enter what may be the last week of this session of Congress, I rise to once again state the need for this Congress not to adjourn until we have addressed some of the pressing needs of the American people. Three of them loom large.

One is as we go into this holiday season, America's families across the country are receiving high bills for their home heating oil. I believe that this Congress should not adjourn until we reverse some of the huge subsidies that this Congress gave to oil companies at a time when they are receiving record and historic profits. These bills will hit home at a time when families can least afford it. Congress should act before we leave.

Secondly, as seniors are bewildered and befuddled by the prescription drug bill that has been foisted upon them by this Congress, I urge Congress not to leave until we extend the time needed for seniors to fully address that bill, also to address in it the prospect of giving the U.S. Government negotiating power for lower prices, and address the reimportation issue as well to lower the cost of prescription drugs for America's seniors. It is clear that this legislation has done nothing to lower the cost of prescription drugs for America's middle-income seniors.

Third, all of America mourned the loss of life in the gulf States. We have seen destruction in that area of biblical magnitude. And here we are over 100 days since Katrina and there are so many emergency needs unmet, housing needs unmet, education needs unmet, I do not believe that it is fair for this Congress to adjourn until we address some of the immediate needs of the victims of Katrina, most particularly the housing needs of the survivors of Katrina.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I urge the Speaker of the House to keep us here in session until we address the issue of home heating oil for America's families, until we address the needs of America's seniors in the prescription drug bill, and until we address the needs of the victims of Katrina.

It is made even more urgent, this staying in session, by the fact that rumor has it that Congress will not be coming back until January 31. That would be six down weeks of no action on the part of this Congress at a time when America's families are feeling severe pain.

Again, I urge this Congress to stay in session until we get our job done for the American people.

http://thomas.loc.gov