Frank Pallone: “I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the previous question. The message from my constituents and from the American…”

“I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the previous question. The message from my constituents and from the American people is loud and clear, and that's to extend the middle class tax cuts now. Republicans are simply holding hostage tax cuts for 98 percent of Americans and 97 percent of small businesses to give more tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans. Now, Democrats have a commonsense solution, and we can't wait around any longer as real proposals languish while the House GOP gets its act together. Spearheaded by Congressman Walz, Democrats last week filed the Walz discharge petition to automatically bring to the floor the Senate-passed middle class tax cuts--which the President has said that he will sign immediately--and overwhelmingly Members have signed this discharge petition. My point is we don't have any time to waste. We can pass this extension of the middle class tax cuts now as we find a bold and balanced and fair agreement to avoid the fiscal cliff. There is a consensus that we do this. So why are the Republicans holding this hostage? Once again, let us vote ``no'' on the previous question. Let's bring this middle class tax cut up now. It is the solution.”