[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]




                    LET'S FIND A BETTER WAY FORWARD

  (Mr. RIGELL asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. RIGELL. Mr. Speaker, what do we know with certainty about the 
bill which passed the Senate? We know it has bipartisan support, and 
that's encouraging. I'm a Republican who has been making the case that 
revenues must rise. This bill does that; and if it becomes law, it 
provides some certainty to our Tax Code, which would surely help our 
economy.
  Yet, Mr. Speaker, we also know with certainty that it fails to 
address the mortal threat facing our country--uncontrolled spending. It 
fails to reflect the balanced approach that was advocated by our 
President. So we find ourselves again with a bill that reflects not 
financial wisdom but the seductive spirit that pervades this town. The 
time to confront our spending addiction is not now. It's later, they 
say--we'll do the right thing then.
  In lacking knowledge, political courage--or both--leaders in 
Washington continue to overpromise. They're like salespeople who tell 
their customers they can have a $30,000 car but only pay $18,000 for 
it. Who doesn't like that deal? The truth--and what we know with 
certainty--is that the full cost, indeed, will be paid by their 
children, the next generation of Americans.
  There is a better way forward, Mr. Speaker, for Americans. Let's find 
it.

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