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Home > 2008 Speeches

Speech on Gas Stamps Legislation
Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA)
House of Representatives

July 30, 200
8
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Rep. McDermott speaking on the House floor Watch this floor speech

Mr. Speaker,

The priceof a barrel of oil is still more than $120, and the price Americans are payingfor a gallon of gas is still more than $4.20 a gallon.  Add to that rising food prices and rising unemployment, especially long term unemployment, and the economic climate feels more like the dead of winter than the middle of summer.

Too many Americans are still being forced to choose between food and fuel every day, either to get to work or to look for work. But, we can help those at the bottom of the economic ladder survive by passing the Gas Stamps legislation I have introduced.

It would provide modest assistance to people who need a helping hand to keeptheir head above water.  It would provide temporary assistance over a relatively short period of time, a few months.  And it would say to the American people that we in the Congress know the first stimulus package was not enough and we are prepared to act again.

Providing those in need with a few hundred dollars a month for a few months is a small price to pay so that vulnerable Americans can continue to put food on the table during these tough economic times. The American people need and deserve some additional help and we ought to provide it, with gas stamps and other economic stimulus measures.

Thank you.


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