Rob Andrews: “Mr. Speaker, over the last number of years, we have all heard the voices of alarm that we are hearing again today. Those…”

“Mr. Speaker, over the last number of years, we have all heard the voices of alarm that we are hearing again today. Those voices are wrong. As the gentleman from Delaware said earlier, this bill will not cut Social Security. It will not cut veterans benefits. It will not take well-earned tax reductions away from taxpayers. If Members choose to listen to those voices, I assume that they will have a short-term political gain because they will not be criticized for voting for those things. But we have done enough around here for the last 30 years of making short-term political gains at the expense of the long-term health of the economy of this country. If my colleagues believe in the terms of the balanced budget agreement, then put it into the law. If my colleagues believe it can and will work the way it has been planned by the President and the congressional leadership, then make sure it works by putting it into the law. Our motto around here for the last 30 years has been, 'The check is in the mail.' Let us do something real this time. Let us make this agreement enforceable and real for the American people. Vote 'yes' on this legislation.”