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“ Democratic priorities are clear: we will fight to get the economy back on track, we will create jobs, and we will help unemployed workers. ” |
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Pelosi: 'President Should Turn Photo-Op into Action Before House Recess'
Washington, D.C. -- House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and other Democratic leaders spoke this morning at a press conference held to protest the House Republican leadership's failure to schedule a vote on the child tax credit bill passed by the Senate before the August district work period. They were joined by Stacy Jones, a working mother from Maryland, and her three children, who will not receive the child tax credit when checks are mailed today. Below are Pelosi's remarks:
"Our President has gone around the country cheerfully extolling the fact that checks are in the mail to so many American children. And that’s good news for those children, and we are all delighted with that. The bad news is that 12 million children will not be the beneficiaries of that same opportunity. And it is about opportunity.
"I want to acknowledge some groups that have taken this message across the country. Children’s Defense Fund, the Center for Community Change, Fair Taxes for All, the National Women’s Law Center, Call to Renewal, the National Council of Churches and the Coalition for Human Needs are among those groups and their representatives are with us today.
"As the tax credit checks will be sent today to millions of Americans, Members of Congress plan to return to their districts for the August work period. Republicans still have time to do the right thing for America’s children and military families by extending the child tax credit.
"Despite President Bush’s photo-op yesterday supporting the child tax credit, Republican leaders in the House want to go home without extending the tax credit to 12 million children of working and military families. If they do, Republicans will be placing less of a value on the children of working and military families than they do on their own children.
"The President says he wants it. The Senate has voted for it. Only the House is delaying, delaying the checks.
"President Bush has an opportunity today turn his photo-op into action. He should call on the Republican leaders in Congress to extend the child tax credit before going home today. 12 million children deserve nothing less."
“ 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
