[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 31 (Tuesday, March 5, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H958]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      SEQUESTRATION WILL KILL JOBS

  (Ms. JACKSON LEE asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I enthusiastically rise to support John 
Conyers' H.R. 900, of which I'm an original cosponsor, which is a 
thoughtful response to legislation that was really hostage-taking, and 
that is the passage of sequestration almost 2 years ago. Everyone knows 
it was the need for the debt ceiling to be raised that generated it. 
But I'm not about excuses. H.R. 900 simply eliminates the sequester 
provision in the Budget Reconciliation Act. It is thoughtful and allows 
us to proceed.
  However, we will not be able to pass it because our friends on the 
other side of the aisle are celebrating about the $85 billion in cuts 
across the board, hurting seniors, children, and families. And then 
they want to acknowledge this is the President's fault. Well, the 
President is willing to not look at poll numbers to be able to fight, 
to support, and enhance revenues and spending cuts. Thank you, Mr. 
President, for leading.
  For those who say nothing has happened, it's because it has not 
happened yet, but I will tell you the continuation of sequester is 
going to hurt the American people and kill jobs. The continuing 
resolution that devastates those nondiscretionary projects of Head 
Start and education will also hurt the American people. Let's pass H.R. 
900 and begin a process that the American people can buy into and a 
budget that is fair, with taxes and spending cuts that work on behalf 
of the American people.

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