On the recordDecember 20, 2011
I want to thank the gentleman for yielding and for his leadership. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the political games that the Republicans continue to play. We know that an extension of unemployment insurance is one of the most effective ways to get our economy going again, and it's the right thing to do, especially because people are just living on the edge right now. Yet the GOP is ready to cut unemployment benefits for 2.2 million Americans. They're ready to raise taxes on 160 million Americans by $1,000. Yet they want to lower taxes for those in the 1 percent. The GOP is ready to tell 48 million seniors that they will no longer have access to their doctors. This is really outrageous. It's un-American, and it's wrong. This jobs crisis is a national emergency, and long-term unemployment is at unprecedented levels. We need an up-or-down vote on this Senate compromise. ____________________
