Providing for Consideration of Senate Amendment to H.J. Res. 66, Permanent Tax Relief for Families and Small Businesses Act of 2012, and Providing for Consideration of H.R. 6684, Spending Reduction Act of 2012

Floor Speech

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Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this rule and the underlying bills.

In the dead of night, 5 days before Christmas, House Republicans released legislation that they are rushing to the floor to gut funding for health care, food assistance, and other vital social services. Christmas is a season of giving, but sadly, Republicans are taking--taking food off the table for millions of American families that are struggling in these tough economic times by cutting food assistance by $36 billion, taking the unemployment lifeline away from more than 2 million Americans who are trying to get back on their feet, and taking funding away from block grants that provide protective services for abused children. Why would Republicans insist on taking so much away from our families during this holiday season? So they can give an average $50,000 tax break to millionaires.

I urge my colleagues to stand up for millions of children, workers, and families that are facing a real cliff. Vote ``no'' on the rule and the bills.

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