Nancy Pelosi: “up until now I think we have had a very civil debate here this evening on a very important matter to the American…”

“up until now I think we have had a very civil debate here this evening on a very important matter to the American people, a matter that consumes a great deal of the time of the Congress, the blueprint for what we do in the year, the budget. Tonight, the Republicans are launching an attack on America's children and America's families; and they are also launching an attack on America's middle class, all of this to give a tax cut to the wealthiest people in our country. This budget is a sham, and it is a shame. Democrats believe that together America can do better. I am so proud of my Democratic colleagues tonight because they have stood proudly for fiscal responsibility. I am so proud of the Blue Dogs and how they led this debate tonight for pay-as-you-go, for no deficit spending, for fiscal soundness so that future generations will not have to bear the brunt of the fiscal irresponsibility that the Republicans are continuing to present to the Congress. I am proud of the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt) for his tremendous leadership as our ranking Democrat on the Budget Committee. He, indeed, has put forth an alternative budget, a Democratic budget, that would eliminate the deficit in 2012, was balanced in terms of its values, its priorities and in addition to its funding. {time} 0100 Mr. Rangel led the way from the Ways and Means Committee in terms of tax fairness in our country. Mr.…”