Albio Sires: “during these uncertain economic times, American families are struggling to make ends meet. Consider that oil and gas…”

“during these uncertain economic times, American families are struggling to make ends meet. Consider that oil and gas prices are at an all-time high. Health care costs continue to skyrocket out of control, leaving more Americans either uninsured or underinsured. Food prices recently experienced their biggest price increase in more than 3 years. If all that is not bad enough, the U.S. economy lost 63,000 jobs last month. The February jobs numbers are the latest sign that economic growth has virtually stalled. President Bush has the dubious distinction of being tied with his father as the two Presidents with the worst jobs record since the Great Depression. Madam Speaker, congressional Democrats are working hard to strengthen the American economy and create jobs. We worked in a bipartisan fashion on the economic stimulus package that will not only help hardworking Americans pay their bills but will also jump-start our economy and create 50,000 new jobs in America. This was the only the beginning. Strengthening our economy remains a top priority for this Democratic Congress as we move through this year.”