CHAKA FATTAH

Democracy derailed is democracy denied.

There's not an appropriations bill in the last 10 years that the-that Democrats passed in the Congress. We haven't spent any money of your taxes in the last decade.

African American children can't be educationally disadvantaged for 12 years and then experience a miracle cure when it comes time for admission into college.

But the point you need to know is that no president at war cut taxes $1.5 trillion, like Bush did.

Now we are raising the debt limit 3 times, up to $8 trillion, so that our children and our grandchildren will have to pay for the cost of our expenditures.

The education cuts in the President's budget are both irresponsible and morally unjustifiable.

The threat of terrorism is not stronger than the will of the American people.

Now, so, if you want to blame someone for wasteful spending, the Republicans are in the majority.

When Bill Clinton was in town, he sent over a balanced budget.

Bush has never sent over a balanced budget.

Currently, more than 4.7 million African Americans receive Social Security benefits, and nearly 8 million people with disabilities depend on Social Security for their daily sustenance.

Without Social Security, poverty rates for African American seniors would more than double.

I will work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to preserve the Social Security promise that provides secure retirement benefits for all, especially those who are most at risk such as widows, orphans, and people with disabilities when the need arises.

But if they want to really think about the fiscal future of this country, then think about how we have moved from hundreds of billions of surpluses to hundreds of billions of deficits.

There are no problems that exist in the District that have been solved elsewhere in the country. Whatever problems exist in this city exist other places.

This program that the Republican majority has taken us toward as a country is leading us to fiscal bankruptcy.

We have major fiscal problems on our hand.

While Social Security faces some long-term challenges, the system is not in crisis.

I don't know what this definition of affirmative action is for some.

The President's proposed privatization plan would jeopardize that security by cutting guaranteed benefits for future retirees and endangering the benefits of current retirees, people with disabilities, and children who have lost a parent.

The Republican Party is in charge. They've been charge of the Congress and spending for 10 years.

The Americans are optimistic by their nature. And they are hopeful.

Because when we think about the real facts: 44 million Americans without health insurance, millions without jobs, a 50-year high on mortgage foreclosures, an historic high the third year in a row on personal bankruptcies.

To see, once again, that African American students are more likely to have a limited math curriculum and an underpaid novice teacher is disheartening and should be a call to action for policymakers and educators.

Our economic future rests on the extent to which all students, especially those who represent America's growing majority, have access to rigorous, college-preparatory classes and excellent teachers.