On the recordDecember 7, 2011
I thank our great ranking member for allowing me this time. It is ironic; we're here today debating a bill supported by those in the Congress who won't cut taxes for the middle class, but won't budge when it comes to making permanent the tax cuts for the very wealthy. Why are we not here today talking about extending the payroll tax cuts? Why are we not here talking about extending employment benefits? Why are we not working on a jobs bill? That's what we should be doing. This Congress cannot--and I echo the words of our leader. This Congress cannot leave for the holidays without ensuring jobless Americans have the security of unemployment benefits that will make their Christmas, their holiday, the rest of their year livable. I know firsthand what it's like to fall on hard times and need a hand up. {time} 1510 Forty years ago, when I was a single mother raising three young children--my children were 1, 3, and 5 years old--I was lucky enough to have a job; so I didn't need unemployment benefits. But I did need Aid for Families With Dependent Children just to make ends meet. My family needed the compassion of the government and my fellow citizens just to survive. Without that safety net, I don't know what we would have done. We cannot abandon people who have been victimized by this sluggish economy. These are proud people, who aren't just willing to work; they're desperate to work. There are roughly five unemployed Americans for every available job.…
