Maxwell Frost: “Mr. Speaker, after we pass this continuing resolution today, only seven legislative days will remain before the…”

“Mr. Speaker, after we pass this continuing resolution today, only seven legislative days will remain before the Republican leadership's target adjournment date for this Congress. When it comes to addressing the most pressing concerns of families across the country, the record of this Republican Congress is just as abysmal as it was when we convened nearly 2 years ago. Republicans spent all of last year trying to spend nearly $1 trillion of the people's surplus on a massive package of tax breaks for the wealthiest few; and they wasted this year on a series of tax breaks that, surprise, surprise, would have cost nearly $1 trillion and overwhelmingly benefited the wealthiest few. Meanwhile, Mr. Speaker, the people's agenda has been shelved. Too many of America's children have returned to school this fall in crumbling classrooms, but Republican leaders are still blocking school modernization. Teachers in overcrowded classrooms still face the nearly impossible task of maintaining discipline and giving their students the individual attention they deserve. But the Republican Congress still refuses to help hire 100,000 new teachers to reduce class size. Mr. Speaker, almost a year has gone by since the House passed the bipartisan Patients' Bill of Rights, but Republican leaders in the House, as well as the Senate, have kept it from becoming law. Nearly 18 million Americans have been denied or delayed medical care since then.”