On the recordDecember 16, 2010
Thank you. Mr. Speaker, in this dealing-making, it became more important to get a deal--any deal--than to secure an agreement that reflects our American values and accomplishes our goal of renewed economic growth. This bill is largely a mishmash of rejected Republican ideas that cost too much to accomplish too little. Under this misbegotten deal, we will borrow immense amounts of money from the Chinese and others to provide the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans with a tax cut that is greater than the median income of a Central Texas family for an entire year. This is the same fortunate 1 percent, for the most part, that took two-thirds of all of the income gains in the country during the heart of the Bush years. That is not fair, and it will not encourage significant economic growth. The Republicans will rule this House for the next 2 years. Let's not give them an early start today. I would vote for a bill that creates more jobs and reduces the debt. This is not it.
