On the recordDecember 20, 2011
I thank the gentleman. Mr. Speaker, for the fourth time this year, Congress has failed to reach a consensus on a significant issue that will affect the lives of every American and imperil our fragile economic recovery. Today, we are on the brink of imposing the consequences of this dysfunctional Congress on those who can least afford it. If we do not act today, taxes will go up on 160 million middle- and low-income Americans. If we do not act today, hundreds of thousands of Americans will lose the safety net of unemployment coverage in the middle of the worst recession since the Great Depression. And if we don't act today, the doctors who are caring for senior citizens will have their pay slashed, placing in jeopardy their ability to provide that care. This is an unacceptable situation to the American people. We should be here as long as it takes to get this done, and we should be voting yes or no. Is the majority more committed to gridlock than progress? Once again, for the fourth time in a year, the answer appears to be yes. The people we represent deserve better.
