Rep. Jan Schakowsky: House Republicans stole your Christmas
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) blasted House Republicans on Tuesday as they planned to kill the Senate compromise bill to extend the payroll tax cut and unemployment insurance.
If the payroll tax cut and employment insurance is not extended, 160 million Americans will see their taxes go up by $1000 in 2012 and 2.5 million jobless workers will lose unemployment benefits.
"Don't blame Congress for not working together," she said on the House floor. "Blame the House Republicans -- who can't even work with each other."
"The one and only reason this House of Representatives is not voting for the bi-partisan Senate bill to provide relief to middle class taxpayers, seniors and disabled on Medicare and jobless Americans is because it would pass That's right. The Republican scam was to bring up the bill, supported by 90% of the Senate, and kill it."
"On the way to this slaughter, a funny thing happened," Schakowsky continued. "Sensible Republicans basically said, 'You want me to vote to abandon millions of struggling middle class Americans without the help they need this holiday season? No way!'"
Republican House Speaker John Boehner said Monday that his members agreed the payroll tax cut should be extended for a full year. Democrats had originally pushed for a one-year extension and a surtax on millionaires, but agreed to compromise on a short-term extension.
The House voted 229 to 193 along partisan lines to reject the compromise bill on Tuesday. The Senate is currently in recess and is not scheduled to return until January 23.
"The sanctimonious rhetoric you hear today from the Republicans is nothing but talk, baby-talk," Schakowsky said. "If they don’t get their way exactly, they won't play."
"And so, Happy Chanukah to middle class Americans lighting the first candle tonight who won't get their $1000 tax break. Happy New Year to our seniors and persons with disabilities who may lose their doctors."
"Merry Christmas to the jobless Americans, desperate for work, looking for work, who barely survive on unemployment checks. The House Republicans are the Grinches who stole your Christmas."
Watch video, uploaded to YouTube on December 20, below:
Photo credit: Rep. Schakowsky's Office