[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 124 (Friday, September 14, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1541]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                NATIONAL SECURITY AND JOB PROTECTION ACT

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                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 13, 2012

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to the so-called 
National Security and Jobs Protection Act. This legislation is another 
attempt by House Republicans to force severe spending cuts that would 
harm middle class families, while protecting tax breaks for 
millionaires.
  This bill is an election year talking point, not a genuine solution 
to preventing massive across-the-board budget cuts looming in January 
2013. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office determined this 
legislation would do nothing to prevent budget sequestration. H.R. 6365 
cannot take effect unless a separate bill implementing the policies of 
the House Republican Budget becomes law. The House Republican Budget 
turns Medicare into a voucher program, runs deficits for 29 years, 
provides trillions of dollars in additional tax cuts to millionaires 
and billionaires, and forces layoffs for thousands of police officers, 
fire-fighters, and teachers. President Obama and the Democratic Senate 
would never impose such a radical and destructive plan on America's 
families and communities.
  The American people should be thankful H.R. 6365 will never become 
law, since it embodies the same flawed policies as the House Republican 
Fiscal Year 2013 Budget Resolution. It seeks to replace the budget 
sequester House Republicans originally supported with cuts to America's 
women, children, seniors, and middle class families. H.R. 6365 
insulates the Defense Department from spending reductions even though 
the Pentagon's budget doubled over the past decade and the war in Iraq 
is over. H.R. 6365 refuses to ask millionaires and billionaires to 
share the sacrifices it demands of middle class families.
  The budget sequester must be prevented from taking effect. House 
Democrats are ready to compromise and vote to replace the sequester 
with a balanced deficit reduction plan that includes a combination of 
spending reductions and revenue increases. Every mainstream economist 
agrees this is the only approach that will reduce long-term deficits 
and avoid plunging the economy back into recession. Regrettably, the 
bill on the floor today chooses ideology over compromise and prolongs 
the wait for the solutions our economy needs to grow and create jobs.
  I urge my colleagues to oppose H.R. 6365.

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