Frank Pallone: “the Do-Nothing Congress of 1948 is about to be replaced as the most ineffective Congress in recent times. Today, just as…”

“the Do-Nothing Congress of 1948 is about to be replaced as the most ineffective Congress in recent times. Today, just as in 1948, the American people are looking to Congress to tackle some very important issues: The war in Iraq, rising gas prices, rising college and health care costs, the economic uncertainty resulting from the outsourcing of high-paying American jobs, and a record deficit that continues to spiral out of control. There is so much that this Congress could be working on right now, but House Republicans refuse to address any of these concerns. In fact, it is difficult to address the concerns of the American people when Congress is never in session. I am sure the American people will be shocked to hear that this is only the 36th day the House is scheduled to hold votes this year. With only 57 scheduled voting days until adjournment, the House is now on track to meet 15 days less than the first Do-Nothing Congress of 1948. And it is no wonder the American people are so disgusted with Congress. Mr. Speaker, the House Republican majority is simply out of new ideas. Any time that a crisis hits, they throw out the same old ideas that haven't worked for them in the past and will not work for them in the future. And let me give you a case in point. This week, House Republicans say they are finally ready to address the record gas prices Americans have been forced to pay every time they go to the gas station.…”