VOA标准英语2012--New US Congress is Most Diverse in History
时间：2019-01-14 作者：英语课 分类：VOA标准英语2012年(十二月)
New US Congress is Most Diverse in History
Capitol Hill is daunting 1 for any first year legislator, but imagine maneuvering 2 it in a wheelchair.
Representative-elect Tammy Duckworth lost her legs when a rocket-propelled grenade slammed into her Blackhawk helicopter in Iraq.
Duckworth is the first female combat veteran and the first U.S. representative born in Thailand. In fact, the incoming legislators look more like the U.S. population than ever before, creating the most colorful Congress America has seen.
"I think it's fantastic," said Duckworth. "It reflects our nation -- our nation is more diverse. It is the strength of this nation. We come from all different backgrounds."
Like Tulsi Gabbard. She represents Hawaii and is the first Hindu member of Congress. And Sean Maloney, is an openly gay member.
"It will bring into the process voices that have been left out," said Maloney. "And I think that's always a good thing. That's the story of America, right?"
White men founded the country. White straight men are now the minority among House Democrats 3. These are changing times, says John Samples of the Cato Institute.
"That's the way the system is supposed to work," Samples explained. "The country changes, the demographic changes, there are political changes."
Republicans have not seen the same changes among their representatives. Of the 36 who are new, all are white. Just three are women. Republican Representative-elect Roger Williams says what matters is the goal.
"None of us came over on the same ship, but we are all on the same boat," said Williams.
But that "same boat" carries lawmakers with diverse priorities, stemming from the changing look of their districts.
Once they take office in January, some analysts 4 predict passage of laws that are more inclusive, ones that will reflect the new faces of America.
- They were faced with the daunting task of restoring the house.他们面临着修复房子的艰巨任务。
- Starting a new job can be a daunting prospect.开始一项新工作有时会让人望而却步。
- This Manstein did, with some brilliant maneuvering under the worse winter conditions. 曼施坦因在最恶劣的严冬条件下，出色地施展了灵活机动的战术，终于完成了任务。 来自辞典例句
- In short, large goals required farsighted policies, not tactical maneuvering. 一句话，大的目标需要有高瞻远瞩的政策，玩弄策略是不行的。 来自辞典例句
- The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
- The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》