Congress making strides

Re “Funding frenzy,” editorial, May 24

Your editorial failed to recognize major accomplishments that Congress has achieved under the leadership of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, including an increase in the minimum wage, the first significant changes to fuel economy standards in decades, new funding for veterans healthcare and college aid, and rebates to provide urgently needed fiscal stimulus.

At the same time, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which I chair, and other committees have reinvigorated oversight and uncovered billions of dollars in waste, fraud and abuse. None of this has been easy given the determined opposition of President Bush and Republicans in Congress, and many of us wish for more change. But the Democratic Congress is providing a new direction for the nation.

Henry A. Waxman

(D-Beverly Hills)