[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 172 (Tuesday, January 1, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H7519]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     A HOUSE DIVIDED WILL NOT STAND

  (Mr. FATTAH asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. FATTAH. It's a new year. For my youngest children, both will grow 
1 year older this year. My daughter Chandler will turn 10, and my 
teenager, Cameron, will turn 15. Today, we know the birthday of the 
Emancipation Proclamation as we celebrate it here in Washington. Our 
country, hopefully, gains maturity as we go forward.
  We were reminded a long time ago that a House divided would not 
stand. We have to come together, and we should put away some of the 
nonsense of attacking the President for spending when our Founders when 
writing the Constitution gave the Congress control over the spending. 
In article I, section 9, clause 7, we control the spending. So if we 
want to back away from spending, we need to look in the mirror. In 
terms of this agreement, rather than curse the darkness, we should look 
at those who have lit the candle. When we can have a bipartisan vote of 
89 Senators start this year off and move our country forward, we should 
rally behind them.
  I ask my colleagues to vote in favor of the agreement in order to 
move away from the cliff and continue to move our country towards 
greatness.

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