[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 10]
[House]
[Page 14216]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          UNFINISHED BUSINESS

  (Mr. CICILLINE asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to implore my colleagues on 
the other side of the aisle to put aside politics and get to work on 
behalf of the American people.
  Just 61 bills have been signed into law this year, the fewest in more 
than 60 years. There have been two noted congressional historians, Norm 
Ornstein and Thomas Mann, who have said:

       We have no choice but to acknowledge that the core of the 
     problem lies with the Republican Party.

  They go on to say:

       Today, thanks to the GOP, compromise has gone out the 
     window in Washington.

  Despite this reality, we have to get some important work done for 
those who sent us here. Republicans continue to choose politics over 
policy, ignoring critical legislation which requires our attention.
  After returning from a 5-week recess, the House Republican leadership 
has scheduled only 5 days in session in September, despite this growing 
list of important challenges facing our country.
  While we voted 33 times to repeal the Affordable Care Act and passed 
a budget that ends the guarantee of Medicare, much work remains, 
including extending tax cuts for the middle class, comprehensive jobs 
legislation like the Make It In America agenda, reauthorizing the 
Violence Against Women Act, postal reform, and a big, balanced plan to 
reduce the deficit.
  I ask my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, let's get to 
work.

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