On the recordJanuary 23, 2013
I thank the gentleman from Michigan for yielding me this time. The Budget Control Act of 2011 sets the budget for the next 10 years. It actually says it in the name of the bill: the Budget Control Act. Many of my colleagues on either side supported that bill. So we have a budget in place for 10 years. You don't like what you voted for now, I understand that. That's problematic. But this bill before us today is not a serious proposal by House Republicans, but rather a gimmick. Even the Wall Street Journal called it a gimmick. {time} 1150 This bill does not provide certainty to the business community, the international markets or job creators here in the U.S. that the U.S. Government will pay its bills. This bill simply sets up another GOP-manufactured crisis in 4 months, putting the economy and the creditworthiness of our Nation at risk. Instead of no cliffs, my Republican colleagues on the other side of the aisle are creating a new cliff. The American people sent us here to work, not to play more games. But my Republican colleagues are failing America again. Only 38 of my Republican colleagues voted for the Hurricane Sandy relief. Only 85 of their Members voted to provide tax cuts to the middle class. Yet, when it comes to pushing our country over the brink, they're all in.
