Jobs

Floor Speech

Mr. TONKO. Madam Speaker, far too many Americans hurt today. They hurt because of unfair tax policy. They've witnessed, as more and more reports are issued, that the top income stratum has seen its income grow by 275 percent, while those of more modest means have seen a growth of perhaps 15 to 20 percent, and far too many have seen no growth with a flat outcome. They also witnessed no meaningful jobs agenda coming from this House over the last 10 months. Throughout the course of the first session of the 112th Congress, they are waiting for a jobs agenda.

So, Madam Speaker, as the House drags its feet, America struggles. Many struggle to find a job. Many struggle to keep a job. Many struggle to make ends meet. Many struggle to make student loan payments. Many struggle to pay those mortgages. We need to go forward with a progressive agenda that responds to strengthening the middle class, strengthening the purchasing power of the middle class. Without a strong middle class, there's not a strong America.

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