FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 26, 2005

CONTACT: Brendan Daly/Jennifer Crider 202-226-7616

Pelosi: After Undermining Livable Wages for Gulf Coast Workers, Bush Finally Rescinds Unfair and Unjust Action

Washington, D.C. – House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today in response to President Bush announcing he would reverse his decision to remove wage protection in the Gulf Coast region and reinstate the Davis-Bacon Act, effective November 8:

“The President reversed decades of protections for working people when, by executive decree, he overruled fair wage standards in hurricane stricken areas.  As thousands of workers who had lost so much returned to rebuild the Gulf Coast, the Bush Administration forced them to work for lower wages.

“Democrats stand united against the President’s anti-worker agenda.  We shouldn’t compound the tragedy of the hurricanes by forcing people to take pay cuts.  Democrats, led by Congressman George Miller, made this issue too hot to handle for the Bush Administration.  Facing a Congressional showdown, the President has had to rescind this unfair and unjustified action.

“The President should also overturn his shameful suspension of affirmative action and small business requirements in the Katrina rebuilding.  Now is not the time to be undoing years of progress by executive order.  Together, America can do better.”

“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ”

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi