FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 06, 2006

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

Pelosi: ‘This Economy Is Not Delivering for Middle-Class Families’

Washington, D.C. – House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today in response to President Bush’s speech in Chicago this afternoon on the economy:

“The President claims he has created a strong economy, but working Americans are telling a different story.  They feel the American dream slipping further from their grasp and they know the reality is that this economy is not delivering for middle-class families. The Bush Administration's call for another round of tax cuts for the wealthy few when middle-class families are struggling to pay their bills is another example of misplaced Republican priorities.

“This is the first generation where parents are worried that their children will not do better than they did.  The President should not brag about the strength of the economy while middle-class families continue to fall further behind.

“Middle-class Americans’ paychecks are flat or dropping, while health care costs continue to rise and home heating costs are skyrocketing.  U.S. trade deficits and the borrowing from China to fund tax cuts will have real and harsh impacts on future generations.  Recent news about cuts in workers’ pay and insecurity about their pensions is also increasing the economic concerns of the American people.  And yet the Bush Administration is cheerleading policies that help the wealthy while doing nothing to address these fundamental problems.”

“ 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