Press Conference - The Past Year in Congress

Statement

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REP. CLYBURN: Thank you very much, Mr. Hoyer.

I am pleased to join with my colleagues today in talking about what it is that we have accomplished in this year. Over the past seven years, the president and his rubber-stamp Republicans have created a poisonous partisan environment, dedicated themselves to advancing the wedge issues and dividing the country.

The American people last November voted for a new direction, and as the new majority, we put in place efforts to stop this divisive politics, and we did. We put forward a unifying agenda that a large majority of the American people support.

But rather than working towards a common goal of meeting the needs the American people, Republicans have dedicated themselves to erecting roadblocks. And surprisingly, this is something of which they are proud. According to a leadership memo they just published, they are calling their obstructionism "wins."

Stopping health care for 10 million children. A win?

Stopping renewable energy standards to protect the environment for our children and grandchildren. A win?

Stopping the redeployment of United States troops in Iraq. A "win."

Stopping legislation to protect all Americans from hate crimes. A "win."

Stopping an AMT bill that would not shoulder future generations with massive debt. A "win."

They are proud of this?

The American people want their elected representatives and their president to work together. Obstructionism is not a virtue. I think the Republicans will pay a price for their roadblock mentality.

But despite the Republican roadblocks, we accomplished a great deal:

Critical assistance to the Gulf Coast region. And I am reading almost daily editorials and letters to the editors professing great thanks for what this Congress has done in helping to turn the Gulf Coast around.

An increase in the minimum wage.

We made college more affordable.

An energy bill for the future.

The 9/11 commission's recommendations made into law.

The largest increase in veteran's benefits in the 77 year history of the Veterans Administration, and much, much, more.

It is a record of which I am very proud. It is a record of which the American people can be proud.

And with that, I'm please to yield to our illustrious, colorful chairman, Rahm Emmanuel.

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