[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 17 (Thursday, February 2, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E117]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND RETIREMENT SECURITY ACT OF 2011

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                               speech of

                     HON. DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 1, 2012

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1173) to 
     repeal the CLASS program:

  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Chair, I rise today in firm opposition 
to this legislation that would repeal the Community Living Assistance 
Services and Supports Act, the CLASS Act.
  As part of the Affordable Care Act, the CLASS Act is our nation's 
first real attempt to provide voluntary, fiscally-responsible, long-
term care for the more than 70 percent of Americans who will need such 
support at some point in their lifetimes.
  As the Representative to thousands of seniors in Florida's 20th 
district, I know too well how hard our families strive to plan and pay 
for the long term care services that most of them so desperately need.
  By repealing the CLASS Act, this Congress abandons millions of middle 
class seniors, Americans with disabilities, and all families struggling 
to provide long term care for loved ones.
  Of course, we are willing to admit that this program isn't perfect. 
But that is no excuse for the Republicans' ``repeal and abandon'' 
approach to legislation--and our nation's seniors.
  Rather than pull the rug out from under our seniors and loved ones--I 
urge my colleagues to work to fix this vital program.

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