200 DAYS OF GOP’S JOBLESS AGENDA

July 25, 2011
Press Release
Washington D.C.: Today, Chairman Charles A. Gonzalez (TX 20) released the following statementregarding the House Republicans’ refusal to author a job creation bill during the past 200 days that they have been in control of the House.
“We are experiencing the worst recession since the Great Depression and the latest Labor Dept. numbers show 11.6 percent of Hispanics are unemployed. The message from the American people could not be any clearer—we need more jobs. Republicans have controlled the House for 200 days, but not one of the 81 bills they have authored would create jobs. In fact, Republicans voted 10 times against job creation bills authored by Democrats. Under their ill-conceived attempts to end Medicare and give tax breaks to billionaires, our biggest problems remain unsolved. Latinos cannot afford the luxury of time as we wait for Republicans to start listening to the American people. I urge my Republican colleagues to end their 200-day streak and put forth realistic plans to innovate, educate and build a foundation for a better future.”
Rep. Ben Ray Luján (NM 03), who spoke on behalf of the CHC at the House Democratic Caucus press conference earlier today, said, “Unemployment remains too high across the board, especially in the Hispanic community, which has been hit even harder. Unfortunately, House Republicans have turned a deaf ear to the American people, spending more than 200 days pursuing an extreme agenda that ends Medicare as we know it, slashes vital services, and makes severe cuts that will destroy jobs. House Democrats have been listening to the American people and we hear them loud and clear. As one of the fastest growing community in the country, Hispanic small business owners and entrepreneurs are poised to help grow our economy and create jobs. But we should be promoting policies that help, not hinder, this progress. That is why Democrats are focused on a ‘Make It In America’ agenda to reinvigorate our manufacturing sector, and that is why we have fought to protect investments in innovation and education – the foundation that has made America great and will continue to move us forward.”