[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 11 (Wednesday, January 25, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E69]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         DISAPPROVAL RESOLUTION RELATING TO DEBT LIMIT INCREASE

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 18, 2012

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.J. 
Res. 98 because it is an empty gesture designed to waste time and 
provide a stage for political posturing.
  One hundred and seventy four House Republicans voted for the Budget 
Control Act in August which raised the federal debt limit and allowed 
the country to make good on the promises it made to the American 
people.
  Under the Budget Control Act, the debt limit increase that the 
President is requesting is automatically matched, dollar-for-dollar, by 
drastic spending cuts that target the poorest among us. Those cuts 
would hurt the people I represent in California's 37th District, and so 
I voted against it.
  Despite strong opposition from both sides, the Budget Control Act was 
passed, with a number of useless and unfair provisions, including this 
disapproval resolution, which lets House Republicans who voted for it 
in August turn around and withdraw their support.
  In this way, they can stand here today and make the same 
irresponsible arguments that they made last summer. Instead of working 
together to implement the American Jobs Act which would help create 
jobs and improve economic growth, they have chosen to squabble over the 
ability of the President of the United States to do his job.
  As ridiculous as it sounds, this is the trick that House Republicans 
are trying to play. It is entirely symbolic, of course, because if this 
resolution were to become law, it would result in the first default in 
U.S. history. A vote for this resolution is a vote against the full 
faith and credit of the United States and a slap in the face to its 
citizens.
  This kind of behavior is the main reason that Congress has lost the 
trust of the American people. It creates tremendous uncertainty within 
the business community and impedes economic growth. It also provides a 
terrible example to the rest of the world that should be able to look 
to us for guidance in times of turmoil.
  I urge my colleagues to reject this empty legislation and focus on 
creating a responsible, long-term budget that puts people back to work.

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