On the recordJanuary 28, 2014
When I go home to talk to my constituents back home in Queens and the portions of the Bronx that I represent, there are a lot of issues that they bring up to me. They want to see unemployment insurance restored. They want to see jobs created. They want to see our economy strengthened. They want to see investments in infrastructure and building our communities. But not once has anyone ever said, Forget all about that. They have never said to me, Please raise my taxes if Uncle Sam objects to the health care plan I have picked for me, my family, or my business. Yes, that's exactly what this bill does. It raises taxes on individuals, families, and small businesses. I offered an amendment that would block this bill from taking effect if it would raise taxes, but the Republican majority, with yet another closed rule, refused to make that amendment in order. Why? Because they knew that if that amendment were to become a part of this bill, it would kill this bill. Because no matter how you slice it, this Republican bill will raise taxes on hardworking Americans. Small businesses will pay more taxes because if their employee health plan covers abortion or reproductive care, the business will be denied the small business tax credit. No one denies that.…
