On the recordMay 13, 2015
I want to say a brief word about something I mentioned as I started my remarks. My friend, the Republican leader, has stated that the extreme left is causing a problem on this bill. It is not the extreme left. It is Democrats who are concerned about the middle class. We do not focus here on the middle class. Republicans are focused elsewhere. We have done nothing on minimum wage, and we have done nothing on student debt. We have done nothing on equal pay for men and women. We have done nothing to create jobs--nothing. We are here. In a matter of 1 week or 2 weeks, the authorization for highways will be gone. It is different than other authorizations we do because under the law we passed previously, when that law expires, there is no contract authority, and that program will come to a screeching halt. We have a few dollars left to carry on for a few more weeks, but it will not be spent. It is a shame my friend, the Republican leader, keeps referring to the extreme left--whatever that means--when we start talking about the middle class. That is one reason we are concerned about this trade bill that is before us today. Mr. President, would the Chair announce the business of the day. ____________________
