On the recordDecember 14, 2010
I believe that Minnesotans deserve a better deal than this one. But unfortunately, this is the one we have. For Minnesota's middle class, there is a lot in this bill that will not only be helpful but is absolutely critical. It stops their taxes from going up on January 1. It provides a payroll tax holiday that gives families making $50,000 a year a $1,000 tax break. For Minnesotans who are truly suffering right now--men, women, and children on the edge of economic disaster--it reinstates emergency Federal unemployment benefits that expired at the end of last month. Not restoring these benefits would be devastating to Minnesota families and to our economy, leading to a lot more pain for working families, a lot more homeless kids spending Christmas in a shelter or a car. I came here to make people's lives better, and so I must vote to pass this legislation. But this was perhaps the hardest vote I have ever taken so far as a Senator.
