Hilda L. Solis: “all year long House Republicans have failed to provide real leadership on issues that affect Americans. Earlier this…”

“all year long House Republicans have failed to provide real leadership on issues that affect Americans. Earlier this month the Associated Press reported that President Bush had only signed two substantial bills into law this year. And, now, House Republicans want to spend the entire week distracting and dividing our Nation with pieces of legislation that will never be signed into law. This is not what the American people sent us here to do. They have yet to join us in offering a stand-alone vote to increase the minimum wage, which about 60 to 70 percent of people polled said they agree with. Because of their cozy relationship with Big Oil, they have yet to provide American consumers any relief at the gas pump. In my district it is over $3.35. Earlier this year, House Republicans promised they would clean up the place after several Republican lobbyists pleaded guilty in the Abramoff scandal. But still we have yet to pass any final legislation. Mr. Speaker, no wonder House Republicans are trying to distract the American public. This is not a record I would want to run on either. ____________________”