Charles Rangel: “I am amazed at the ability of the majority to change its position so fast. Sometimes I wish Democrats had the ability to…”

“I am amazed at the ability of the majority to change its position so fast. Sometimes I wish Democrats had the ability to do this. It wasn't too long ago that there was objection for the taxpayers holiday because of the impact on Social Security. Then there was objection to the unemployment insurance because people on the other side said that people wouldn't go look for a job, that they would just stay home and watch television and receive the check. And of course, no one can deny that the doctors that give care to 48 million people deserve compensation for what they do. But, being here as long as I have, I can see how, in the majority, a handful of people will try to prove to their constituents that they're not marching in line with regular order; that they didn't come down here just to go along with the Senate or their leadership. And it's kind of rough to be a part of a party that is so widely split. I had only hoped that they could come up with a better excuse than the fact that 2 months is not enough time to prevent an increase in the taxes of so many, 160 million people. And I know that everyone in this Chamber knows that if the American people that will suffer such a painful, insensitive act were to be asked, would you want it for 2 months, and then have the Congress to extend it? Would you take that? Or would you want it to be for 1 year and the possibility of getting absolutely nothing?…”