[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 103 (Tuesday, July 12, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H4868]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      PUTTING OUR COUNTRY AT RISK

  (Ms. EDWARDS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. EDWARDS. Madam Speaker, the ongoing stubbornness by my Republican 
colleagues to even entertain the idea of increasing revenues is putting 
our country at risk.
  Over the past decade, the top 2 percent of Americans making over 
$250,000 have done incredibly well. And while I have enjoyed reduced 
taxes as a result of the Bush-era tax cuts, our seniors, our workers 
don't even come close. They have lost pensions, 401(k) plans, home 
values, and all that's left is Social Security and Medicare. As you can 
see here, these tax cuts are the primary contributor to our debt and 
deficit over the long term.
  Madam Speaker, default on America's debt would be catastrophic to 
both our economy and the world. It's time for my Republican colleagues 
to get serious. Stop playing with fire and put the future of the Nation 
first ahead of millionaires, corporations that avoid taxes and benefit 
from loopholes in the law, and ahead of those who would ship jobs 
overseas.
  So, no, seniors and those with disabilities didn't cause this 
deficit, as we can see, and the long-term debt, and they shouldn't have 
to cut their benefits to pay for it.

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