On the recordMay 10, 2012
Then I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to defeat the previous question. If we defeat the previous question, I will offer an amendment to this closed rule to let the House work its will and to give Mr. Van Hollen's substitute an up-or-down vote in the House. It deserves more than a procedural vote. I ask unanimous consent, Mr. Speaker, to insert the text of the amendment in the Record, along with extraneous materials, immediately prior to the vote on the previous question. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Massachusetts? There was no objection. Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I think what we're talking about here today are two different visions for this country. The Republicans have their vision that is outlined in their reconciliation package. Mr. Van Hollen, I think, has adequately summarized what the Democratic priorities are. The main difference is that, in their proposal, there is no balance. It's a meat-ax approach to everything--cut, cut, cut, cut--regardless of what it means to the people of this country. What we're trying to do and, quite frankly, what other bipartisan commissions have recommended, is a more balanced approach: we cut spending, but there are also some revenues to be raised.…
