On the recordDecember 28, 2012
I rise to talk about the looming financial crisis that all of us here are trying to solve. We are here because we know that in 4 days something that will affect every American family in not a very good way is going to happen. We are talking among ourselves, and we are trying to see what could be given on each side of the debate and where we are together. In many areas, we are already together. The President has said he is for AMT relief, and most certainly we are as well. There are other areas where we are in agreement, such as relief from the marriage penalty and the child tax credit, which have helped so many American families. Yet we seem to dwell on where we are apart and not start with where we are together. As we speak, our leaders are meeting at the White House. Our majority and minority leader in the Senate and the Speaker and the minority leader in the House are meeting with the President. It will be remembered about the President's term and it will be remembered by Members of Congress if we don't do something that is a compromise. At this point, it has to be bipartisan. There is no question that something has to pass the House and the Senate with votes from the minority party of each chamber. We have to go to the drawing board, and I hope there is a plan laid out at the White House with the leaders from which we can start that real negotiation. Now, many would say: Really? Should we start now, 2 or 3 or 4 days out? Well, no.…
