On the recordDecember 31, 2012
discussions continue on a plan to protect middle-class families from a tax increase tomorrow. There are a number of issues on which the two sides are still apart, but negotiations are continuing as I speak. We are running out of time. Americans are still threatened with the tax hike in just a few hours. I hope we can keep in mind--and I know we will--that our single most important goal is to protect the middle- class families. Whether or not we reach an agreement in the short time we have left, we will need cooperation on both sides to prevent taxes from going up tomorrow for every family in America. I repeat, there are still some issues we need to resolve before we can bring legislation to the floor. I yield the floor. ____________________
