On the recordDecember 20, 2011
It is outrageous that the House Republicans will not allow the Senate bill to come up today that would extend the payroll tax cut, that would provide unemployment benefits for so many million Americans that are out of work, and also allow seniors to have their Medicaid reimbursement paid to their doctors so the doctors will accept Medicare. I cannot believe that, at the end of the year now, is this the Christmas present? Is this the New Year's gift that we're going to give to the American people, that their taxes are going to be raised, that they're not going to be able to have unemployment insurance if they're unemployed? And what does this mean for the economy, Mr. Speaker? Do the House Republicans want to send a message to the President right now when the economy is actually starting to improve slightly? This could easily send us back and make the economy go back into a tailspin. Do they dislike the President so much that they would risk the economy for that? I cannot believe that we're not going to have an opportunity today to vote on the Senate bill and to make sure that these things are extended, particularly the payroll tax cut, because that is very important for the economy. It's very important for small businesses. It is an outrage, Mr. Speaker. ____________________
