[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 3009]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             SUPPORT OF THE CONFERENCE REPORT TO H.R. 3630

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 6, 2012

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Conference Report 
to H.R. 3630, Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012. The 
bill extends unemployment for those currently out of work through 2013. 
It continues the payroll tax break for the middle class through 2013. 
It prevents the scheduled cuts in Medicare reimbursement to doctors. It 
extends the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. It 
protects current federal public servants by protecting their pensions 
and by dropping language that would have perpetuated an unjust and 
unnecessary payroll freeze. As a Member of the Committee on Oversight 
and Government Reform, I offered an amendment in Committee last week to 
protect the pensions of future federal public servants as well.
   However, while providing needed relief, this bill is very flawed. It 
reduces benefits for new federal public servants, cuts assistance to 
hospitals and cuts long-term unemployment benefits. It is wrong to 
limit any crucial safety net.
   Still, extending the payroll tax means that middle class families in 
Ohio will have about $1,000 more in their pockets at a time when 
speculation has pushed gas and basic food prices up. The needs of my 
district are urgent and immediate. This legislation will deliver 
relief. I stand with the workers and those trying to find work and I 
pledge to continue to fight for the middle class. When Congress returns 
we must ensure that our communities are protected and that hospitals 
and workers are taken care of. I will work with my colleagues to remedy 
the shortcomings of this bill.

                          ____________________