As we meet here this afternoon, there are 15 million Americans unemployed, and yet we are passing up yet another opportunity to work together to try to create jobs in our country. And what are we doing? We are passing a spending reduction bill that the Congressional Budget Office says doesn't have any impact on the budget at all, so we are not saving any money. We are passing a bill, or some of us are going to pass a bill, that the New York City Police Commissioner, who is entrusted with defending people around the U.N., says is dangerous because it impairs his ability to do that. And at a time when the most dangerous area of the world is literally in flames and calling out for cooperation between our country and other countries around the world to try to calm things down, we are sending a signal to the most important international institution that our participation is somehow contingent upon domestic politics. We should be doing a jobs bill, not putting our imprimatur today on a bill that is yet another exercise in politics. The right vote for the country is 'no.'
Editor's note · Context
The speaker addresses unemployment and criticizes a spending reduction bill.
Share
More from Rob Andrews
I rise this morning in appreciation. Next week, I am leaving the Congress to pursue the chance to build a career in the private sector. I wanted to take a few minutes this morning to offer appreciation and thanksgiving for a lot of people…
I say good morning to our colleagues, and hope that as we focus on the very real pain and burden that so many Americans are feeling that we can act this afternoon to alleviate that pain, whether someone is looking for health care services…
I demand a recorded vote. A recorded vote was ordered. The SPEAKER pro tempore. This will be a 5-minute vote. The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 261, noes 157, not voting 12, as follows: [Roll No. 587] AYES--261…
Last night, on rollcall Nos. 32 and 33 for H.R. 1791 and H.R. 357, I am not recorded because I was absent. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on both. Today, on rollcall Nos. 34 and 35 for the Rule on H.R. 3590 and H. Res. 470…





