Joe Crowley: “Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this rule, because hidden deep in this bill is language that indeed will…”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this rule, because hidden deep in this bill is language that indeed will increase income taxes on middle class American families by thousands of dollars a year. My Republican colleagues claim the bill is not a tax increase on the middle class. They argue that Grover Norquist says it's not a tax increase. They say Democrats have, and I quote, ``decided to dance the Washington two-step,'' claiming this bill contains a new income tax on working families. In hearing all that, I have one simple question: If the Republican plan is not that of a massive, new income tax increase, then why did the Republican majority refuse to allow a vote on the amendment which I offered? My amendment simply said that no section of this bill would take effect if it raised taxes on any American family of four earning less than $110,250 a year. That's all it said. It just makes it clear you can't raise taxes on the middle class. That's all it said. It is a straightforward and simple amendment.”