Bill Pascrell: “Let's cut to the chase. I support this legislation. It wasn't an easy decision, but I believe that Democrats were able…”

“Let's cut to the chase. I support this legislation. It wasn't an easy decision, but I believe that Democrats were able to get a lot of policies into the bill that are good for the middle class. It is going to help 16 million Americans out of poverty. In New Jersey, 435,000 children and 219,000 families will lose some or all of their working family tax credits if we don't do this. This package includes a bill introduced by my friend from New York, Tom Reed, and myself to help put people back to work. Our tax credit for businesses who hire long-term unemployed Americans--and we have abandoned them, let's face it--will help those families who haven't yet felt the effects of our economic recovery. Another bill the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Reichert) and I co- authored supports our Nation's hardworking teachers. You heard him speak about it just several minutes ago. Both of these bills are part of the tax package before us today. And as the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer) said, these things pass routinely anyway. Who the heck are we kidding? The enemy of the good is the perfect. Over and over and again we prove that here on this floor. An important provision allowing public safety officers to withdraw from their pensions when they retire early without a tax penalty is included in this package. There are provisions that support mass transit commuters, small businesses, low-income housing, families paying for college, economic development.…”