[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Page 20110]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST--H.R. 3630

  Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, last night the House of Representatives 
passed a tax cut bill, one that is doomed in the Senate and that the 
President has made it clear he will not sign.
  It is important for us to move beyond this stalemate on an important 
issue that will literally affect 160 million working Americans.
  Currently those working families enjoy a 2-percent payroll tax cut. 
For the average family in Illinois with a $50,000 annual income, it 
means $1,000 a year or more in terms of a tax cut. So if we fail to 
continue this payroll tax cut, families across Illinois and across 
America are going to see an increase in their payroll taxes of about 
$100 to $125 dollars a month. We cannot let that happen. These families 
are struggling paycheck to paycheck. We want to help them. We want to 
make sure we help this economy by putting more life into it, which 
creates more opportunity for profitability for business and new jobs.
  We also need to maintain our unemployment insurance which we have 
provided during these difficult times for those families struggling to 
find work.
  At this point it is clear we should move immediately--immediately--to 
consideration of the House tax cut bill, a bill which passed the House 
and should be taken up immediately in the Senate. There is no reason 
for delay. It has to be done before we go home. Let's not waste any 
more time. Let's bring it to a vote.
  Therefore, I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to the 
consideration of H.R. 3630, which was just received in the Senate from 
the House; that there be 2 hours of debate equally divided between the 
two leaders or their designees prior to a vote on passage of the bill; 
that no amendments be in order prior to the vote, and that the vote on 
passage be subject to a 60-affirmative vote threshold; further, that if 
the bill is not passed, it remain the pending business and the majority 
leader be recognized.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Franken). Is there objection?
  Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I object on behalf of our leader. This 
is a matter that needs to be decided between our two leaders. That has 
not been done. The bill has just come over. There needs to be some 
time. Certainly we hope in the future to vote on it at a time when the 
two leaders can agree.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I thank the Senator from Texas. I know her 
objection was on behalf of the Republican Senate leader. I would appeal 
to him and all Republicans on that side of the aisle, let's get down to 
the business of extending this payroll tax cut for working families and 
maintaining the unemployment insurance to help millions of Americans. 
Let's get it done before we even consider leaving for this holiday 
season.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Texas.

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