[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 198 (Wednesday, December 21, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2337]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 MOTION TO GO TO CONFERENCE ON H.R. 3630, MIDDLE CLASS TAX RELIEF AND 
                        JOB CREATION ACT OF 2011

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                               speech of

                        HON. NYDIA M. VELAZQUEZ

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 20, 2011

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, in less than two weeks, taxes are set to 
rise, cuts to Medicare payments will occur, and emergency unemployment 
will lapse. With the economic security of so many Americans at stake, 
we cannot allow this to happen. Until an acceptable long-term solution 
is offered, it would be irresponsible to forego a short-term extension 
that enables small firms and the American people to move forward with 
our economic recovery.
  Almost 12 million Americans currently rely on unemployment. Without 
action, nearly 2.5 million of them will lose their benefits in just two 
months. At a time when we should be providing them a leg-up, this 
Republican Congress has continually failed to provide middle-class 
Americans the assistance they require.
  And, now, due to the Republican leadership blocking a two month 
extension, 160 million hardworking taxpayers are faced with a tax 
increase.
  We have a modest, bipartisan solution before us. While it certainly 
does not address all these problems, it can provide some help at a time 
when it is desperately needed. The House should consider and pass this 
extension, immediately.

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