Jon L. Christensen: “do we not value all of this country's children and families? This body has shortchanged our children too often this…”

“do we not value all of this country's children and families? This body has shortchanged our children too often this year, and it is adding up to a heavy burden on their families, all to make the wealthiest in this country richer. Underfunding for Leave No Child Behind, block grants to States with unmeetable requirements for Head Start, and although it is a demonstration program, this is meant to be the first nail in the coffin of Head Start. We barely lost the vote last night, but Democrats will continue to fight for this country's children, all of them, but certainly those from lower-income families. Today I am here with my colleague, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Solis) and other Democratic colleagues to call on this House to instruct the conferees first to act; and, second, to provide what the President promised, tax relief to the 6.5 million families and over 12 million children. These families work hard, but in this economy this President has created, they still need help, and especially for the military families of soldiers who today are fighting for this country and fighting for us. Democrats meant it when we said we will leave no child behind. Today we call on the leadership of this conference, and specifically the conferees, to expand the child tax credit and put our money where our mouth is and where our heart and our values should be.”