On the recordJanuary 24, 2012
I thank my friend and colleague, Mrs. Capps, for yielding this time and for spearheading this resolution which will simply end the ``dog ate my homework'' excuse my Republican colleagues have repeatedly used when refusing to do more than the bare minimum that our job requires. I'm a father of three children all under the age of 13. My kids are the best. I love them dearly. But they are like most: they don't like doing their homework, and they often wait until the last minute to get it done, despite my wife's and my best efforts to see otherwise. While this behavior is common in households across America, it is not acceptable in the workforce, and it ought not be acceptable here in the Halls of Congress. Yet, this is how the Republican leadership has gone about our business here in Congress. This Congress almost let the United States of America default on its bills. This Congress almost prevented Social Security checks from going out to every American senior because they wanted their way or the highway. This Congress almost refused to pass a middle class tax cut for Americans before the holidays because they didn't believe middle class Americans deserve one. And here we are today. The majority has refused for weeks to even begin discussions on the payroll tax even though Democrats named their conferees several weeks ago and have been ready to talk ever since. President Obama has been waiting for any word from my Republican colleagues.…
