Thomas E. Petri: “I salute the Chairman's leadership in this matter. Mr. Speaker, the true social safety net of this country is not made…”

“I salute the Chairman's leadership in this matter. Mr. Speaker, the true social safety net of this country is not made up of speeches delivered in this hall or even legislation passed in this hall. The true social safety net of this country is the productive capacity of the American people and the American economy. Passage of this legislation will enhance that productivity that will improve, thereby, the social safety net and the well-being of all Americans. I would join my colleagues in supporting this legislation that is backed by the National Conference of State Legislatures, the National Governors Association, the National League of Cities, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the AFL-CIO, the American Public Transit Association and the Representatives of America's Motorists, the AAA, the Senate of the United States by an 88- to-5 vote, and the President of the United States, who suggested the offsets that some of my colleagues deplore. But it has his support. It should from my colleagues. It is a good bill.”