On the recordSeptember 20, 2012
I yield myself the balance of my time. You know, I think the public should ask why this resolution, why trying to provide some kind of a smokescreen for an ad that has been called a ``pants on fire lie'' and ``four Pinocchio's dishonest,'' why do that? I think the reason is very clear. This is manipulating the truth to try, I think, to appeal to the worst instincts. I worked with Ron Haskins on welfare reform, and he says this, I quote: ``There is no plausible scenario on which it''--he means this ad--``really constitutes a serious attack on welfare reform.'' He goes on to say, ``the idea''--I repeat this--``that the administration is going to try to overturn welfare reform is ridiculous.'' And then he says, ``Republicans are the ones who talk about giving the States more flexibility. Now, all of a sudden, the States shouldn't get the flexibility because they are going to mess it up? It doesn't make sense.'' But it's worse than nonsense. It's pernicious. The ad is pernicious, and it's beneath the dignity of this House for Republicans in the House who are doing nothing on major issues to do something to try to protect the former Governor of Massachusetts, their candidate for President. This House deserves much better than becoming a political plaything, a political plaything. It won't happen. Despite this vote, it won't happen. I yield back the balance of my time.
