Fighting for Working Americans

Floor Speech

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Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, Republicans are willing to shut down government in a battle to protect riders that hurt working-class Americans.

During these budget and appropriation debates, Republicans have fought tooth and nail to cut investments in important programs for working families, yet they are willing to spend billions on tax expenditures for wealthy corporations.

On top of that, Mr. Speaker, they want to add riders that gut consumer protections, labor rights, environmental protections, and a woman's right to choose.

A recent poll found that nearly seven in ten Americans agree with the following statement: ``I feel angry because our political system seems to only be working for the insiders with money and power.''

As Members of Congress, I urge colleagues on all sides to come together and heed the American people's wishes and to put their interests up front. We need to make sure that we can pass a budget bill that isn't loaded up with policy riders and more things that would confuse the basic issues.

Mr. Speaker, we cannot abide proposals attacking the National Labor Relations Board and a worker's right to organize. We cannot abide efforts to undermine the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which is helping Americans meet their financial needs.

Mr. Speaker, we must stand up for the American consumer. I urge all parties to come together to reach these important goals.

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