Dean: Democrats Are Fighting for America's Working Families

Washington, DC- As Americans celebrate Labor Day this weekend, new Census data from last week confirms that Americans are struggling to get by. In 2006, wages declined, the number of Americans without health insurance rose to 47 million, and the number of children without health insurance grew to 8.7 million children.

In honor of Labor Day, Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement:

"Americans across the country will observe Labor Day this weekend by honoring the contributions of America's working families. But under the failed leadership of President Bush and his Republican friends, wages have declined, the number of uninsured has increased, and gas and college costs have risen. Yet President Bush and his Republican allies continue to put their special interest friends ahead of American families.

"Democrats are keeping their promises to America's families. Under a Democratic Congress we have increased the minimum wage for the first time in over a decade, passed a bill to make college more affordable by cutting student loan interest rates, passed legislation to give health care to millions of low-income children and fought to protect workers' rights to bargain collectively and form unions. Instead of working with Democrats, Republicans prefer to block progress, and President Bush has threatened to veto legislation that is critical to America's working families.

"As we look towards 2008, the choice between the Republican and Democratic presidential candidates is clear. All of the Democratic candidates are committed to making sure the American Dream is available to everyone, while the Republican candidates want to continue President Bush's narrow special-interest agenda. Electing a Democratic president next year will ensure that America's working families come first."