[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 196 (Monday, December 19, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H9933]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      SENATE PLAN IS IRRESPONSIBLE

  (Mr. GIBBS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. GIBBS. Mr. Speaker, the President has said it would be 
inexcusable not to extend the payroll tax cut for a year. However, the 
Senate's plan merely extends the plan for just 60 days, instead of a 
full year extension, creating uncertainty for our job creators at a 
time when millions of Americans are out of work. It also creates more 
uncertainty about implementing the plans, as we just learned today from 
the National Payroll Reporting Consortium.
  American families deserve better than tax policy in 2-month 
increments. Last week, the House passed bipartisan legislation that 
extends the payroll tax cut for a full year, which would save American 
households an average of $1,000 a year. It also extends unemployment 
benefits and ensures senior citizens have access to their doctor by 
preventing a cut in Medicare reimbursement rates.
  The worst part of the Senate plan is it puts new permanent fees on 
home mortgages to pay for 60 days of spending. This is an irresponsible 
and outrageous plan.
  Our bill is offset by reasonable spending cuts, not new taxes on 
hardworking middle class home borrowers. A full-year plan with no new 
taxes is better than a 2-month spending spree which is nothing more 
than a political sideshow.
  I guess the Senators were anxious to leave town and not finish their 
work. So I think we ought to call the Senate plan ``I'll be home for 
Christmas.''

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