On the recordJanuary 1, 2013
As a retiring Member, I am proud to stand with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle from New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania to urge action on this important issue. Over the past 2 years, I've often been frustrated by the actions of the Senate--or the inactions, I should say, of the Senate--where we would send bill after bill over there. Not that they would vote it down, but they just wouldn't vote. They wouldn't allow the will of the people to be expressed by a vote's being taken. If we conclude this session of Congress at noon on Thursday of this week without voting on this important issue, we are denying the will of the people to be expressed. We're not allowing that to happen. I would contend of the will of the people of America that the one thing they're comfortable in spending their money on is in helping their fellow Americans, and there is great need in New Jersey, in New York and elsewhere. We need to stand together, and I hope that we will come to the decision that it's never too late to do the right thing. The right thing is to allow the will of the people to be expressed, for this issue to be voted on and to let the Members express their opinions through their votes. I'm certain, if that's the case, if that happens, the will of the people will be to send the aid that is so badly needed. ____________________
