On the recordDecember 4, 2012
When it comes to the fiscal cliff, Republicans and Democrats have one major thing in common--we both believe tax rates shouldn't go up on 98 percent of Americans and 97 percent of small businesses. The difference is that Democrats won't use middle class families as a bargaining chip. Today, House Republicans have a chance to show that they are more serious about making good policy than making political hostages of the middle class. We have filed a discharge petition to bring to the floor legislation that preserves tax cuts for 98 percent of Americans and 97 percent of small businesses. It has already passed the Senate. The President says he will sign it immediately. With our deadline less than a month away, the clock is ticking, and if House Republican leadership is wondering when in our pressing schedule we might be able to fully consider this legislation, they might rethink their astonishing decision to cancel House business on Thursday--one of the few days Congress has left in the current session. Mr. Speaker, we know what we must do, and it might come as a surprise that we actually agree on a solution. All that's left is to vote. I urge my colleagues to sign the discharge petition and to vote immediately to keep middle class tax rates from going up. ____________________
