[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 193 (Thursday, December 15, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H8984]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1230
               REPUBLICAN OPPOSITION TO PROPOSED TAX CUT

  (Ms. CLARKE of New York asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Speaker, here we go again. For the third 
time this calendar year, we are facing the real likelihood of a 
government shutdown. And why? Because, Mr. Speaker, of all things, 
Republican opposition to a tax cut proposal. The Republican majority, 
which has spent the last 49 weeks of the American people's time 
protecting tax cuts for millionaires, multimillionaires, and 
billionaires, does not want to extend the same courtesy to the 
struggling middle class.
  It's a shame, Mr. Speaker, that the people's House cannot agree to 
pass commonsense legislation that benefits the majority of the American 
people without including poison pills that ensure the air we breathe is 
clean, our water is safe to drink, and our seniors have access to 
quality health care.
  Unfortunately, this should not come as a surprise to the American 
people who have watched the Republican-led 112th Congress unleash an 
all-out assault on our middle class and aspiring middle class and the 
most vulnerable amongst us.
  Mr. Speaker, during these tough times, we cannot afford to pass 
partisan legislation that toys with and diminishes the livelihoods of 
the American people, that harms our economic recovery efforts, and 
removes environmental safeguards. We must put politics aside, pass 
commonsense legislation that helps the American people, and not use 
them as political bargaining chips.
  I would like to take this opportunity to welcome home America's 
servicewomen and -men and thank you for your service to our Nation.

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