On the recordDecember 17, 2015
The bill we have before us today is the universal legislator's dilemma: the possible versus the perfect. I rise in support of this legislation today. I stand with President Obama in support of this legislation today. I rise to prevent 18 million Americans, including 8 million children, from falling deeper into poverty. I rise to ensure that, during this special time of the year, nonprofits will continue their important work to improve the lives of millions of Americans through charitable activity. I rise to unleash billions of dollars in economic development to rebuild, to rehab, and to refurbish our neighborhoods and our communities. I rise to incentivize American innovation and the millions of jobs that it creates. At this bill's core is a modest progrowth jobs bill, one that, given the current headwinds of our economy, is sorely needed. I have spent the better part of my career in Congress as a champion of the earned income tax credit and expanding it, as a champion of the child tax credit and expanding it, as a champion of the low-income housing tax credit and expanding it and the expansion of the New Markets Tax Credit Program, which my DNA clearly is on. Taken together, these credits will go a long way to toward improving the lives of millions of Americans across the country in our typically overlooked communities. {time} 1145 This is not the easiest way to accomplish an end.…
