Political Quotes

“All of us join with our colleague in honoring that fallen hero. Madam Speaker, Congress must act now to extend the payroll tax cut, unemployment insurance, and domestic renewable energy tax incentives. The effects of the Great Recession continue to linger in this economy, which is why a more robust recovery has not yet taken root. Our efforts in the last Congress, through the Recovery Act and the Job Creation Act at the end of last year, provided what momentum we actually have. The official unemployment rate has now fallen to 8.6 percent as a result of 120,000 new jobs created just last month. That's the lowest level in more than 2 years and marks 21 consecutive months of private sector job growth. But these gains will be at risk if Congress fails to extend the payroll tax cuts, domestic clean energy incentives, and unemployment benefits before the end of this year. The payroll tax cut provides the average American worker $1,000 to spend or invest every year, having a positive impact throughout the economy. Economic analysts at Barclays estimate that the payroll tax cut alone will add another 1 percent to gross domestic product growth, $250 billion in economic activity throughout the United States. Conversely, if we fail to extend that payroll tax cut, 160 million Americans will be facing a tax increase in January. Similarly, 1.3 million Americans who are trying to get back into the workforce will see their unemployment benefits cut unless we renew them.…”