Providing for Consideration of H.R. 10, Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2011, and for Other Purposes

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding to me.

I am really confused. I know that many of my Republican colleagues have signed a pledge that said that never will they raise taxes on anybody, the Grover Norquist pledge. I think it's a silly idea to sign such a thing, but most have done that.

Yet it does seem that when it comes to middle class tax cuts, there's this little hesitation going on. Do we really mean cutting taxes for the middle class? Do we mean preserving tax cuts for the middle class? Or are we just talking about the wealthiest Americans?

Right now, if we don't move ahead with extending the payroll tax cut, that's what most, that's what all working families pay, their payroll taxes. You know, we hear, oh, the wealthy, that the wealthy are paying all the income taxes. Yeah, most people would like to pay income taxes. But they definitely pay payroll taxes if they're working. And they're risking 160 million Americans who would not get tax relief if we don't extend the payroll tax cut for working families.

So we need to do that before we leave. But, instead, we're talking about some way to stop any kind of regulations, further health and safety regulations, making it hard to do that.

I got a letter from someone talking about the unemployment insurance and extending those benefits. He says, this is from John, in my district: ``I'm a Desert Storm Veteran and lost my job October 21, 2010. I've been drawing unemployment and am now on extended unemployment benefits. I, like millions of Americans, would rather be working 80 hours a week if possible. The job market is scary, but what's worse is the thought that we might be without that last bit of a safety net come the end of December.''

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.

Ms. SLAUGHTER. I would be happy to yield my colleague an additional minute.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. John continued: ``These benefits for many is the difference between having a roof over your head and living on the streets.''

He says: ``I just hope you can encourage your fellow House Members to put the livelihood of millions of Americans above their petty politics.''

Above the petty politics. That's what we're facing right now. If we extend unemployment insurance benefits, it's not just good for John and his family; it's not just good for the hundreds of thousands of people that would lose their unemployment benefits over 500,000 in January. It is also good for the economy. Every dollar generates a $1.52 in economic activity in the country.

These are the things that the American people at this holiday season are worrying about, are afraid of. He calls it scary. He's afraid. And we're dealing with this pettiness right now. Let's get over it and on with the business of the people.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source