S7414 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 5, 2012 One faction, the Democratic Party, never intended and best expressed by ward; that is what will happen if we do would be able to ram through massive James Madison. not get this farm bill done. pieces of legislation with little or no The proposed gutting of the Senate’s Livestock producers operate without input from duly elected Senators who historic rules and traditions threatens key disaster programs without this happen to be from another political to replace the principle of the rights of farm bill, and farmers and rural com- party. And what if Republicans are not the minority, so important to James munities are left guessing about what happy with being shut out of the legis- Madison and our other Founders, with rules they will operate under as they lative process at every stage? Well, the a new principle that the might of the plan next year’s crop. majority leader explained to one fresh- majority makes right. The fact that These are not small things. What man Republican Senator: ‘‘You can al- the majority leader is contemplating kind of crop insurance are they going ways vote against the bill.’’ doing so on a partisan basis by ignor- to be qualified for? Is there going to be Not only does this take-it-or-leave-it ing existing Senate rules is outrageous. some kind of safety net? They have ab- approach effectively disenfranchise all Can you imagine ignoring the rules to solutely no idea because we wait and those Americans who elected Senators change the rules? we wait and we wait for the House of from the minority party to represent I know this unprecedented power Representatives to act. They did pass a their views, it also leads to poorly grab makes even Democratic Senators farm bill through their committee. I thought out legislation. Since the pro- uneasy. Other Democrats who find this liked ours better, but they got it posed changes to the Senate rules proposal tempting and who have not through the committee. But guess would make the body more like the yet served in the minority will find what. They have not been able to bring House of Representatives, let’s take they have a rude awakening once they it to the floor for a vote, and our farm- another look at how that Chamber op- have to live under the new regime they ers and our ranchers and our people in erates. might help create. our rural communities wait, and they Although the House is designed to re- To all my colleagues who might be wait, and they wait. flect the will of the current majority, inclined to support this fundamental I believe there are good reasons we the trend toward the majority party transformation of the Senate, I will re- can finish the farm bill this year. shutting out the minority party in that peat once more Madison’s warning There is already a path forward to body has increased over time. Some about temporary majorities in the heat complete work on a farm bill and have people trace this trend to the last dec- of passion enacting legislation: ‘‘ . . . it signed by the President at the end of ade of the 19th century when the measures which they themselves will this year. The farm bill passed in the Senate, as we all know. It passed with Speaker of the House was a man named afterwards be the most ready to lament strong bipartisan support. It was ap- Thomas Brackett Reed. and condemn.’’ Then-Speaker Reed strengthened the I yield the floor. proved by a vote of 64 to 35. Thanks to power of the Speaker of the House of The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- Chairman STABENOW’s leadership and Representatives and sought to dimin- pore. The Senator from Minnesota. the leadership of Ranking Member ROBERTS, we were able to get this bill ish the rights of the minority party. He f through. We voted on nearly 80 amend- once used his position to unilaterally THE FARM BILL ments. We did our job in the Senate. change the interpretation of the The Senate farm bill saves money. It rule to prevent Members of the Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Madam President, I am here today to talk about the need would reduce the deficit by $23 billion minority party from blocking a meas- over the next 10 years. That is a sav- ure by refusing to vote in a quorum for action on a 5-year farm bill for our farmers and our rural communities. ings over the last farm bill. The Senate call. This incident was called the ‘‘Bat- farm bill also makes major reforms, tle of the Reed Rules.’’ The Senator from Iowa, who just spoke, understands how important this such as eliminating direct payments Then-Speaker Reed famously said: and further focusing farm payments on farm bill is. I know the Acting Presi- ‘‘The best system is to have one party our family farmers. dent pro tempore, from the State of govern and the other party watch.’’ It extends disaster programs for live- This attitude earned that Speaker of New York, understands how important stock producers and it continues credit the House, whose name was Reed—they this farm bill is. provisions to help our farmers get This summer, farmers in the Corn called him Czar Reed. through tough times. It creates a pub- Do we really want another ‘‘Battle of Belt of our country waited, sometimes lic-private partnership to fund agricul- the Reed Rules’’ like we had over a in vain, for rain that could either make tural research to give farmers the tools century ago in the House of Represent- or break an entire year of work. Many they need to stay competitive and feed atives? Wouldn’t that be going back- of them lost their entire crop. a growing world. wards? This fall, sugar beet farmers along When Bill Gates comes and talks to Ironically, the House of Representa- the Red River Valley in Minnesota and me about the farm bill, you know this tives under Speaker BOEHNER has actu- North Dakota waited for dry weather farm bill is more than just about some ally allowed more opportunity for the because they needed that to pull out farmers in Minnesota. It is about feed- minority party to affect legislation the last of their crop. And right now, at ing our country, it is about feeding the than the current Senate majority lead- this very moment, farmers, ranchers, world, it is about the research we need er. Senate Minority Leader MCCONNELL and rural communities throughout the to do to make sure we have the most has cited data from the Congressional country continue to wait. But this efficient crops; that we are developing Research Service showing that the time they are not waiting for weather. crops and we are developing livestock Democrat minority party in the House They are not recovering from weather. and varieties of crops and farm prod- has had 214 occasions to affect legisla- They are waiting for a new farm bill. In ucts that can feed the world. tion this year compared to only 67 for fact, they have waited 167 days since This farm bill works to eliminate the Republican minority in the Senate. the Senate passed the bipartisan farm fraud and waste throughout the farm When the House of Representatives bill this June, and they have waited 66 bill to ensure these programs are effi- allows for more input from the minor- days since the 2008 farm bill expired in cient and targeted. Passing this farm ity party than the Senate, which is September. bill is important, and that is why 235 supposed to be the deliberative body, it Unlike the drought this summer and agriculture, conservation, research, seems to me something is very wrong. the hurricane that hit the State of the and energy organizations signed a let- It is true that the cloture rule and Acting President pro tempore this fall, ter this November to leadership in the the various different procedures that the failure to complete a farm bill is House urging that they pass a farm bill are called are not found in entirely preventable. Inaction in the before the end of the year. the Constitution. But changes to the House of Representatives is hurting Our farmers and agricultural commu- Senate rules that some in the Demo- farmers right now. Without a new farm nities understand that tough budgetary cratic caucus are proposing would fun- bill, dairy farmers have lost their safe- choices need to be made. That is why damentally transform the character of ty net. In fact, prices may go to the the Senate Agriculture Committee ac- the Senate in a way that the Founders 1939 levels. Talk about moving back- tually came forward and said: OK, we

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:41 Dec 06, 2012 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G05DE6.014 S05DEPT1 smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with December 5, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7415 are going to find a way to do this very the critical role farming plays in our order to reduce the deficit to a sustain- differently. We are going to eliminate country’s economy, there is no excuse able level, revenues have to go up. It is direct payments, and we are going to to further delay the consideration of a matter of arithmetic. So the question strengthen our crop insurance. We are the farm bill. Agriculture is a bright that presents itself to us is, where does going to still make sure we maintain spot in our economy. We cannot jeop- the revenue come from? I believe at the our nutrition programs—something for ardize the economic future of rural end of the day, the President’s plan to which the Acting President pro tem- America and of our entire country just continue to provide tax breaks for 98 pore fought so hard as a Senator from to score political points over in the percent of all Americans and let tax New York—and we also made sure House. rates for the wealthiest return to the there were incredibly strong conserva- I continue to believe that the care- Clinton-era levels is about as fair a tion programs in the bill, but we still fully crafted bill we did in the Senate proposal as is possible at the moment. found a way to cut $23 billion. finds a good balance between a number First, it recognizes that the middle I am also opposed to playing red of priorities. I urge the House of Rep- class should not be the one on the light-green light with agriculture pol- resentatives to complete work, to work chopping block where there are other icy which prevents our farmers and with the Senate, so we can make sure options. Second, it asks those making ranchers from making long-term cap- as we come to the year end we have a more than a quarter of a million dol- ital investments that help them re- major deal which we must have on the lars to return to the same top rates we main competitive in today’s market- fiscal cliff, that we also include the had for most of the 1990s. Third, it cuts place. farm bill, because with the farm bill we everyone’s taxes on the first quarter of Ms. KLOBUCHAR. It might be easy save $23 billion over what we have been a million dollars that you make. to forget as we sit in this Chamber all spending in the last few years. So let’s What is sometimes lost in this debate that goes into growing the most abun- get to work and get this done. is because of our progressive tax sys- dant, safest food supply in the world. I yield the floor and I suggest the ab- tem, there will be no changes to the But when I travel across our State, I sence of a quorum. tax rates on income up to $250,000. The am impressed by the work and plan- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- benefits of those tax cuts which were ning that goes into making each farm pore. The clerk will call the roll. enacted in the early decades of the and ranch operate in the face of mar- The assistant legislative clerk pro- 2000s will still be there for 98 percent of ket failures, in the face of natural dis- ceeded to call the roll. Americans, and they will still be there asters, in the face of volatile weather. Mr. REED. Madam President, I ask for those paying additional revenue be- Well, guess what. This is the time when unanimous consent that the order for cause of the reversal of the top two that planning goes on. It goes on right the be rescinded. upper income tax rates. Yet our Repub- now. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- lican colleagues in the House seem to Anyone who learned in kindergarten pore. Without objection, it is so or- have adopted a posture of obstruction about how we plant crops and how we dered. and holding the middle class hostage in get things done knows that the fall and THE FISCAL CLIFF order to preserve nearly $1 trillion in winter is the time when you plan Mr. REED. Madam President, we all tax cuts for the top 2 percent of Ameri- ahead, and then you plant your crops, recognize the country faces many chal- cans. If we do not extend these tax cuts then you move ahead, and then pretty lenges. Too many of our neighbors are for the middle class as the President soon you are harvesting them. Well, still looking for work, and too often has proposed, the typical Rhode Island they need to know what the rules of those with a job have not seen a raise family of four could see their taxes the game are to get this done. in quite some time. Indeed, for many raised by an average of $2,200 in the Each year family farmers make years people in Rhode Island and across year 2013. This would be a setback for tough decisions about which crops to the country have a growing sense that our very fragile economic recovery. It plant, what equipment to purchase, there is too much focus on the powerful is simply not fair to have these middle- and when to market their crops. Con- few and not on the average family income Rhode Islanders who are trying gress should be no less committed to playing by the rules. to make ends meet in this economy be completing work on the farm bill, A quality higher education seems further subject to a tax increase. which provides the safety net and cer- more unaffordable each year. Working I think I listen pretty well to my col- tainty for farmers, for ranchers, for men and women do not often feel the leagues on the other side of the aisle. It rural communities. The stakes are high government understands their strug- seems they agree that, yes, these taxes for Minnesota. Agriculture is our gles and the need to move the country should not go up on 98 percent of Amer- State’s leading export, accounting for forward. They also want us to begin to icans. Indeed, in July they dropped $75 billion in economic activity every balance the books, just as we did under their , enabling the Senate to year and supporting more than 300,000 President Clinton, with a sensible bal- pass the Middle Class Tax Cut Act. The jobs. anced approach, one that led to in- bill prevents taxes from going up on 98 Minnesota is No. 3 in the country for creasing wages across the board, in- percent of Americans and 97 percent of hogs and soybeans. It is also home to creasing productivity, increasing em- small businesses, and would cut the pork processors and biodiesel plants. ployment, and a budget surplus before deficit by nearly $1 trillion. Minnesota is No. 4 in corn, and it is George W. Bush’s policies took over. As I mentioned, if the House does not also home to 21 ethanol plants that Last year we took a step in balancing pass this bill, middle-class families will produce over 1 billion gallons of eth- the books. We cut $1 trillion of Federal see their taxes go up by an average of anol every single year. We are No. 1 for spending. We do not hear much about about $2,200. All the House has to do— sugar beets, we are No. 1 for sweet it, particularly from the other side of and they can do it very quickly under corn. the aisle. But what it means is that their procedures—is take up the Sen- But as we all know, this is not just every discretionary program will see ate-passed bill and pass it. We will put an issue in our State. Our Nation’s less funding for the next decade, which a significant downpayment on deficit farms and ranches are responsible for a will have a huge impact on my State reduction. We will provide certainty to $42 billion trade surplus. This is one of and every State in the country. 98 percent of Americans that their the jewels of our economy and our If we are going to cut spending on taxes will remain the same, and we can country. We actually are making education, research, and transpor- get onto other sensible appropriate re- things, producing things, and exporting tation to the tune of approximately $1 ductions and expenditures and move to the world. Why would we want to trillion, I think most Americans recog- the Nation forward. pull the rug from underneath one of nize that the other side of the equation It is heartening to hear some Repub- our most promising and successful ex- has to be considered. Revenue needs to licans in the House such as TOM COLE porting industries in this country? And be part of a balanced plan to reduce the of Oklahoma and MIKE SIMPSON of that is the business of farming. debt. The simple fact of the matter is Idaho talk about accepting this com- This is so promising. We are already that virtually every expert panel and monsense approach and locking in doing well. We can even do better. With commentator has said clearly that in these tax rates for middle-income

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:41 Dec 06, 2012 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G05DE6.015 S05DEPT1 smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with S7416 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 5, 2012 Americans. Indeed, if the House, as I sense of the American people that we way for us to climb down from this fis- suggested, had an up-or-down vote on are effectively able to manage their af- cal cliff. The Senate already passed a the Senate bill, I would suspect there fairs, for the welfare not of the very bill that would extend tax cuts to 98 would be enough Republicans willing to few but for all Americans. percent of the American people and the join the House Democrats in passing a Republicans have also blocked the House will not take it up. This will tax cut for 98 percent of Americans and American Jobs Act. A plan that ana- mean, over 10 years, about $1 trillion in giving the business community the cer- lysts predicted would lead to the cre- savings, and it won’t hurt the million- tainty it needs. Unfortunately, we have ation of nearly 2 million jobs—and at a aires and billionaires. They have told yet to see an indication from Speaker time when those new jobs were and us that over and over. BOEHNER that he will let the Senate ap- still urgently needed. Now with the ac- This is when the Senate passed the proved middle-class tax cut legislation cumulation of all these different middle-class tax cuts, July 25, 2012. The have an up-or-down vote—despite the threats to our economy, all these dif- Republicans over in the House have fact that by passing this bill every ferent dramatic moments, we are look- been sitting on it. They didn’t do any- American, including the wealthiest, ing at automatic increases in taxes if thing in July, August, September, Oc- will get a tax break on the first quarter the Middle Class Tax Cut Act is not tober, November, and December. Here of a million dollars of income, and the adopted. Failure to pass the bill could we are 6 months later and they refuse Tax Code would become a bit fairer. severely impede or even reverse the to allow a vote on this for reasons that I am worried that there are too many economic recovery we have seen to go to their internal disputes. on the other side of the aisle who are date. And again, this economic recov- It is time for them to put country willing to let taxes increase on the ery is not as strong as we want to see over party. It is time for them to put middle class in order to stop the top it, but it is heading at least in a posi- country over their ideological battles. two marginal tax rates from returning tive direction. That was a mouthful. I am going to try to Clinton-era levels for the wealthiest We have to move forward decisively, it again. It is time for them to put 2 percent of Americans. That, to me, is with a balanced approach to ensure country over their ideological battles. unfair. Indeed, it is an uncalled-for im- that the vast majority of Americans do It is time for them to make a decision position on the vast majority of Ameri- not see their taxes go up. And that rev- that favors the American people. cans. enue is raised from those who are most I served in the House for 10 proud Republicans would jeopardize our able to afford it. years. It was wonderful, fascinating, economic recovery by creating uncer- The President has been very clear interesting. I served there when Tip tainty around letting these tax provi- that he will be strong in resisting over- O’Neill was the Speaker of the House. sions lapse for all Americans. It could tures to extend the tax benefits for the Tip O’Neill understood the magic of hamper demand, restrict commerce, wealthiest two percent of Americans. 218. and impede recovery at a time when The American people agree. They re- What do I mean by that? The magic our economy is making fragile gains. elected him and they consistently, in of 218 was finding 218 votes to get Indeed, it would be similar to what we just about every type of public survey, something done. Tip didn’t care if he are seeing in other parts of the world, support his proposal. got it from a liberal, from a conserv- where austerity measures in Europe Unfortunately, the Republican lead- ative, from a moderate, from an inde- have already caused many of their ership in the House of Representatives pendent, from a whacko. It didn’t mat- economies to slip back into recession. are out of step and out of tune with the ter. He didn’t care who you were, what We can’t do that. We have got to pro- American public. you were, if you thought you were vide both confidence and the resources Speaker BOEHNER has not proposed a great or bright or not. He had to put for consumers to go into the market- sensible, balanced approach that mixes together 218 for the good of the coun- place and continue to strengthen our revenues and expenditure reductions. try, and he did it when recovery. And I would hope to accel- Instead, he once again raises the spec- was President. He did it when there erate this recovery because we need tre of cuts to Medicare and Social Se- was a President who had different more demand, more jobs, more activ- curity benefits. That is not the ap- views from his own, and they worked ity, not less. proach we have to take. together for the good of the country. Unfortunately, the record of some of What we can do, what we should do, I look over at the House, and I don’t our colleagues on the other side has what we must do is simply ask the know what I see. There are a few brave suggested that when it comes to mak- House of Representatives to take up voices there speaking out and saying ing difficult decisions on behalf of the what we have already passed here in let us do this, let us extend the middle- majority of Americans they balk. I the Senate, the Middle Class Tax Cut class tax cuts. But let me tell you, we have seen in this Congress—the other Act, immediately. That would provide have 27 days left to do this before peo- side threaten a government shutdown the breakthrough we need to go for- ple start facing higher taxes. On aver- and the other side seriously consider ward, to continue to build on our eco- age, it is $2,200 a family, and that is a defaulting on the debts of the United nomic recovery, and continue to re- lot of money for a middle-class family. States. I have seen threats to end un- spond to the legitimate needs of men I want to be completely honest here employment insurance, which would and women all across this country. I and bring up an issue, which is that I harm our economy and tremendously hope House Republicans do that. I never voted for the Bush-era tax cuts— disadvantage so many Americans who know I will be here, along with my col- I was one of the few in the minority— are looking for work. I am hopeful the leagues, urging them to do that as because I worried that it would destroy House of Representatives can respond quickly as possible. our fiscal responsibility. I hate to say both thoughtfully and decisively by Madam President, I ask unanimous it now: I was right. I was right. passing the legislation the Senate has consent that the remaining time under There were surpluses that Bill Clin- already passed and continue the tax Democratic control be allocated as fol- ton left us. But because George W. cuts for middle-income Americans lows: Senator BOXER for 15 minutes, Bush went in front of the microphone while beginning to raise revenues from Senator CASEY for 10 minutes, and Sen- and said, I have political capital, I am those who are the wealthiest amongst ator SCHUMER for 5 minutes. going to cut everybody’s taxes, he then us. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- put two wars on the credit card, and In the spring of 2011, we were faced pore. Without objection, it is so or- that was the end of surpluses. We went with the possibility of a government dered. into deficits, deficits as far as the eye shutdown. In the summer of that same Mr. REED. Madam President, I yield could see, deeper and deeper in debt. So year, we were faced with the issue of the floor. you might ask then, Senator BOXER, the debt ceiling and government de- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- why are you now supporting those tax fault. All of these attempts to disrupt pore. The Senator from California. cuts being renewed for 98 percent of the and undercut the process of govern- Mrs. BOXER. Madam President, I people? The answer is it is a different ment had costs, real costs to our econ- think we are trying to make the case time and a different place. We are get- omy, real costs to our sense and the here today that there is a very easy ting out of a recession. We can make

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:41 Dec 06, 2012 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G05DE6.022 S05DEPT1 smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with December 5, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7417 up the monies we need to balance this When you tell your friends the Presi- of-pocket costs for those between 65 budget by going just to the top rate, dent wants to give a tax cut, tell them and 66 by $3.7 billion. It would increase going to the people over $250,000. also it is being held up by the Repub- costs to the States by $700 million, and Remember, this plan that we passed licans in Congress who are sitting on a millions—millions—would pay an aver- in July gives a tax break on the first bill that passed the Senate on July 25, age of $2,200 more for their health care. $250,000 of income, in essence giving ev- 2012, where 98 percent of the American I will use every tool at my disposal erybody a break on that first $250,000. people will get their tax break contin- to prevent the destruction of Medicare. It is only after that that the taxes go ued and only income over $250,000 will What kind of counterproposal is that? back to the Clinton era. Because this is be taxed at the same rate when Bill It takes my breath away the pain that a different time and place, I support Clinton was President. would be felt if this went through. I giving a tax break, continuing it, for 98 Let’s take a look back at those days. can’t help remembering—and I am sure percent, but asking the wealthiest to Were they harsh for people? No. We had the Chair remembers as well—the at- pay their fair share for the greatest more millionaires created, I remember tack leveled by Representative PAUL country on the face of this Earth. in those days, than we had in genera- RYAN, who was the Republican nomi- My father was born into dire poverty. tions. You know why? Because the nee for Vice President—he is chairman He was the only one of nine children middle class is strong—and President of the House Budget Committee— born in America. He was the only one Clinton invested in the middle class; he against President Obama for ‘‘cutting’’ of nine children to go to college at invested in our people—they get good $700 billion out of Medicare, when, in night in your great State, City College, jobs, they pay enough taxes, they go to fact, the President got savings from at night, while he supported a family the mall, they take a trip across the people who were cheaters—the pro- by day. He became a CPA. After he got country to see all the great landmarks, viders who were ripping off Medicare— his bachelor’s, he went at night to a and people across this country who and then put it back into Medicare and place called Brooklyn Law School, have businesses do well also. That is extended the life of the program by 8 where he got his law degree in 5 years. why we see so many businesspeople, in- years. I was about 10. This is America. He was cluding small businesspeople, standing These are the same people who ran able to do that. at President Obama’s side saying it is ads against Democrats—maybe they When he was a CPA, he would oversee good for business to give the middle did it to the Chair as well, I don’t everybody’s taxes in the family. I was class their tax breaks. know—all across the country saying a kid and I got my first job working for What are these Republicans thinking Democrats voted to cut Medicare. a long time when I was a telephone op- over there? If we are having an argu- These same people who were crying erator for Hilton Hotels one summer. I ment, and I tell you I will give you 98 these bitter tears are now suggesting will never forget it. I was not good at percent of what you want and you walk destroying Medicare as we know it. I it. I kept putting those wires into the away from me, I say you are unreason- can’t believe it. I truly can’t believe it. wrong places, but I managed to get able. Who gets 98 percent of what they I wonder whom they fight for? That is through. When I got my first paycheck, want? No one. In an argument, usually the basic question. Why are they here? I went to my dad, as I was earning min- we meet each other halfway—50–50. We Whom do they fight for? Do they fight imum wage—I think it was 75 cents an are giving the Republicans 98 percent for the middle class? I believe we do on hour, I don’t know. I know I am dating of what they want on the tax cuts, but our side of the aisle. I believe President myself here. It is okay. I said, ‘‘Dad, they are holding the 98 percent hostage Obama does. why is it I have to pay a whole bunch for their friends, the Koch brothers, I believe, if we look at the tax pack- of money somewhere else, to the gov- Sheldon Adelson—the billionaires. age that came over from Speaker ernment?’’ He said, ‘‘Well, we all, when That is wrong, and we had an election BOEHNER and all the cuts to Medicare— we earn money, pay taxes. If at the end about it. and by the way, the Presiding Officer is of the year we pay too much, we get a This is a country of, by, and for the a leader in protecting children—we will refund.’’ people, not of, by, and for the billion- see there are cuts to child nutrition in But he said, ‘‘Honey, I want to tell aires. I am going to say to my Repub- there, major cuts. I have to say: Why you something. You are so fortunate lican friends—and they are my friends; do they have to cut food to poor kids? and blessed to be a citizen of the I have served with them for a long Why do they have to kick people out of United States of America. I know peo- time, I have worked with them—what Medicare? Their answer is, if they were ple will laugh at you when you say are you thinking? What are you doing? honest, to protect the billionaires and this, but people who live here, who Let me talk about one of the things the millionaires. Because that is what work here and have the privilege of they offered in their package. This is it is about. We know it. It is a fact in that freedom and the privilege to grab outrageous. They want to raise the eli- evidence. the dream, they should kiss the ground gibility age of Medicare by 2 years. I I believe we owe more to the Amer- of this country every time they pay cannot tell you how many people come ican people. We need to find a way back taxes.’’ up to me—and it shocks me when I to the fiscal responsibility and the eco- I once said that on the campaign hear it—and say: I am praying for my nomic growth we had when Bill Clinton trail, and I got booed. They said, She is 65th birthday so I can get on Medicare was President. I have served with five telling us to kiss the ground of Amer- because I have no insurance. There is a Presidents already—it is amazing—in ica when we pay taxes? That was how huge number of people uninsured be- my time in this Congress, and I have my father felt. tween the ages of 55 and 65. So this is seen people come together in moments Clearly, he also believed in a progres- their Christmas present? This is the of crisis, such as when Social Security sive tax system. He was a smart man, happy holiday gift from Speaker BOEH- needed to be strengthened, when Medi- and he believed that those at the bot- NER? care needed to be strengthened, when tom end shouldn’t pay anything at all In the Speaker’s tax package, not we had deficits as far as the eye could and, as you go up, you pay a little only is he giving the tax break to the see and we had to resolve that. I have more. wealthiest, he is even cutting their seen all that happen. We have 27 days That is what President Obama ran taxes further but paying for it by rais- left to see something good happen on. We had a huge election for the Sen- ing the Medicare age. What does that about this fiscal cliff. ate where the Democrats picked up do? It is surprising just how bad it is. When people say, oh, it is very com- seats. A race for the Presidency that When we raise the age of Medicare plicated, don’t believe it. Don’t believe was supposed to be Governor Rom- from 65 to 67, ipso facto, 300,000 senior it. It is not complicated. There are sev- ney’s, according to his people, was citizens go uninsured. Merry Christmas eral parts to this fiscal cliff. The big- President Obama’s. This was mainly to all. It would increase the cost to gest one is the Bush-era tax cuts that because President Obama stood up for businesses by $4.5 billion because they are expiring on 100 percent of the peo- the middle class and said, When it have to keep people on their plans. ple, and if they expire, it means people comes to taxes, we all have to pay our Merry Christmas to you, too, will have to pay more in taxes at a fair share, no more, no less. businesspeople. It will increase the out- time when we don’t want them to have

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:41 Dec 06, 2012 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G05DE6.023 S05DEPT1 smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with S7418 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 5, 2012 to struggle. We want them to have dis- So let’s do the right thing. We passed faster pace. As I mentioned before, I posable income because it is good for the right thing on July 25, 2012. We am introducing legislation today to their families, it is good for the econ- have 27 days left before taxes on the help middle-class families and to boost omy, it is good for business, and it is middle class go up. I know we have the hiring. The bill is called the Middle- good for economic growth. The Bush- wherewithal to do that. Class and Small Business Tax Cut Act, era tax cuts are expiring on December I yield the floor. and it would expand the payroll tax cut 31. Why don’t we find the common The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. from last year for 1 year and give em- ground, get rid of that issue, get those FRANKEN). The Senator from Pennsyl- ployers a tax credit for hiring. tax cuts to 98 percent of the middle vania. The payroll tax cut we put into place class who need them and fight about Mr. CASEY. Mr. President, I rise to last year had a number of benefits. I the millionaires and the billionaires talk about where we are with regard to won’t go through all those today, but later? They are OK. They are fine. the end of the year and especially the Joint Economic Committee—the We need to do that simple step. The where we are with regard to the focus committee of which I am the chair- House must pass the Senate’s bill we should bring to bear on middle-in- man—put out a fact sheet in the last 24 which we passed on July 25. We did it. come families. We have had a lot of dis- hours that highlights some of the bene- It is done. We don’t have to worry cussion in the last couple weeks, using fits of the payroll tax cut. I wish to about it. We did our job over here. We terms such as ‘‘fiscal cliff’’ and terms highlight a few of those. got the votes. So the House needs to that involve tax policy. All that is im- I ask unanimous consent to have portant to debate, but sometimes what pick it up and pass it over there. printed in the RECORD the Joint Eco- is lost in the midst of all that is what I understand that Democratic Leader nomic Committee fact sheet on the is happening to middle-income fami- PELOSI has done something very inter- payroll tax cut dated December 4, 2012. esting. She has taken this bill, the lies. The sense I have, in talking to a lot There being no objection, the mate- same exact bill, and put it at the desk rial was ordered to be printed in the in the House and started what they call of those families in Pennsylvania, is RECORD, as follows: a discharge petition. What that means they have been asking their represent- FACT SHEET: PAYROLL TAX CUT, JOINT ECO- is, since Speaker BOEHNER will not atives in Washington to do at least two NOMIC COMMITEE, , bring up this bill, if 218 people sign the things: No. 1 is to try to work together SENATOR ROBERT P. CASEY, JR., CHAIRMAN, to get agreements, not just in the near discharge petition, there will be an im- DECEMBER 4, 2012 mediate vote on the floor. I wish to term but over a long period of time; and No. 2—and not in second place, be- THE PAYROLL TAX CUT SUPPORTED THE ECO- urge Republicans and Democrats and NOMIC RECOVERY, CREATED JOBS AND BOL- Independents over in the House to sign cause they are as fervent about this as STERED THE SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUND IN the discharge petition to have a vote. they are about No. 1—they ask me all 2012 We have a few days left until the end of the time to do something to create jobs Last winter, Congress took action to pre- the year—27—to get this done. at a faster pace, to put in place strate- vent a temporary two-percentage-point re- Then we can talk about the auto- gies that will lead to job creation that duction in payroll taxes from lapsing at the matic spending cuts, and there are is more accelerated. end of 2011, extending the tax cut through ways to stop those. People are upset The good news is we have had some the end of 2012. The payroll tax cut for 2012 about those. Personally, I think we progress. If we look at the numbers for increased take-home pay for over 120 million have to make spending cuts, but I August, September, and October, it is American households, providing tangible think we can soften the blow of those right around 511,000 jobs created. That benefits as the economy continued to recover spending cuts by bringing home the is good news and it is good progress. It from the Great Recession. The additional money from the wars in Iraq and Af- money in individuals’ pockets contributed to is a lot better than where we were in increased consumer spending in 2012, sup- ghanistan to this country. That would the spring. If memory serves me, in the porting economic recovery and job growth. soften the blow of those cuts. We also time period of April, May, and June, we Including October, the private sector has need to be making some more invest- had only created about 200,000. So this added jobs nationwide for 32 consecutive ments in infrastructure, which we des- 3-month period with more than half a months. Finally, the boost in employment perately need after superstorm Sandy million jobs created is progress. due to the payroll tax cut, coupled with hit New York, New Jersey, Con- But we have a long way to go, and we transfers from the General Fund, helped to necticut, Delaware, and Maryland. We need to move the job-creation pace or fortify the balance of the Social Security now see our infrastructure has to be the pace has to be accelerated. We have Trust Fund. what we call hardened, made stronger. in the midst of all that a good bit of Benefits of the Payroll Tax Cut in 2012 We can do that if we invest in our peo- uncertainty. Middle-income families 122 million households received additional ple. look at Washington and don’t see take-home pay. Cutting payroll taxes imme- The President has offered a very enough progress on jobs, they don’t see diately increased the income of everyone clear plan that is fair that takes us off folks coming together yet. I think we who received a paycheck. By the end of 2012, the fiscal cliff. We have 27 days to do will, but until they see that, until they the two-percentage-point payroll tax cut will give an additional $1,000 to the average the right thing. The Senate already have a sense there is something sub- American family. passed the tax cuts for 98 percent of the stantial that is decided that affects The payroll tax cut boosted consumer people. All we are asking is for the their lives, they are going to be very spending. Additional take-home pay allowed House to do that, to match us, and uncertain. I hear this from taxpayers. I working families to make purchases that then we can get back to the table and also hear a lot about uncertainty from supported economic growth and job creation. figure out a way to soften the blow of small business owners. In the third quarter of 2012, real consumer the automatic spending cuts. We can At the same time, the House has spending grew 2.0 percent at an annual rate, look at tax reform. something they can do about it right following gains of 2.4 percent and 1.5 percent Let me just say this about tax re- now. On July 24 we passed in the Sen- in the first and second quarters. form. When our colleagues complain Middle-class families are responsible for ate a tax cut for middle-income fami- the bulk of consumer spending. The most about tax rates and say: We would lies, meaning we would continue tax current data show that families making rather close loopholes, watch out. In rates for those families. That kind of under $150,000 are responsible for the vast order to raise the kind of funds needed certainty is badly needed right now. So majority (81.9%) of consumer spending. to lower this deficit, we would be look- one of the best things that could hap- Moreover, families earning less than $70,000 ing at the two of the biggest ‘‘deduc- pen right now is the House could vote per year are responsible for nearly half tions.’’ One is for your mortgage and and then the President would sign into (44.8%) of all consumer spending. one is for charitable contributions. I law legislation that would provide cer- The payroll tax cut targets those most would ask rhetorically: What billion- tainty for middle-income families—98 likely to spend it. Compared with reducing the tax rates of the highest income earners, aire do you know who has a mortgage? percent of American families and some cutting payroll taxes puts more money in I don’t, frankly, know any. They own 97 percent of small businesses. So it is the hands of middle- and lower-income work- their own homes. They are not hurt by time for the House to act. ing families. Over half of the benefits of the that. But who does get hurt? The mid- Secondly, we have to take steps to payroll tax cut went to households earning dle class. make sure we are creating jobs at a less than $100,000 annually, and 85 percent of

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:41 Dec 06, 2012 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G05DE6.025 S05DEPT1 smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with December 5, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7419 the benefits went to those making less than they have dollars to spend. The payroll It is clear that Speaker BOEHNER $200,000. tax cut puts $1,000 on average in the needed cover from his right flank be- Economic growth and job gains were pockets of most families in America. fore he could agree to any deal on taxes stronger in 2012 due to the payroll tax cut. The two-percentage-point payroll tax cut for Families making under $150,000 are re- with the President. The Speaker didn’t 2012 boosted economic growth nationally by sponsible for almost 82 percent of con- have it before, but he sure has it now. an estimated one-half of a percentage point sumer spending. So the reason we are When the Wall Street Journal editorial in 2012. The payroll tax cut also saved or cre- creating jobs with the payroll tax cut page says that decoupling would not go ated an estimated 400,000 jobs. or a tax credit—the idea I mentioned against conservatives’ antitax prin- The payroll tax cut bolstered the Social before—is because we are giving con- ciples, that gives a whole lot of cover Security Trust Fund. The annual OASDI Trustee’s report for 2012 confirms that the sumers, families, and small businesses to the Speaker. When Grover Norquist payroll tax cut has no negative effect on the the opportunity to create jobs because refuses to declare whether decoupling balance of the Social Security Trust Fund in of economic activity. would violate his group’s pledge, that, the short or long term. All reduced revenues I mentioned the job impact of the too, gives a whole lot of cover to the are recovered through transfers from the payroll tax cut. It created or saved Speaker. And when more and more Treasury General Fund. 400,000 jobs in the last year, and it rank-and-file Republicans come out Furthermore, the additional jobs generated didn’t in any way harm the Social Se- publicly every day in favor of passing by the payroll tax cut added to the Social curity trust fund. In fact, it enhanced Security Trust Fund’s balance. The JEC esti- the Senate bill, that, too, gives cover mates that the boost in employment driven our ability to have more payroll rev- to the Speaker. by the payroll tax cut contributed at least $1 enue over time because of that job cre- You really have to salute Congress- billion in additional Social Security tax ation. man TOM COLE. He was the first one on withholding and payments. This assumes a So I think we should do both—con- the other side to dare speak the truth majority of the jobs created or saved because tinue the payroll tax cut as well as about what should be done on taxes, of the payroll tax cut, as during the recovery have a tax credit for businesses so that and he has been on TV almost every more generally, were in occupations such as if they hire in year one versus a year day making the case to his party in food services, retail and employment serv- after the year the credit is in place, public. The day after Congressman ices. The additional Trust Fund revenue could be much larger—as much as $3 bil- that hiring can be given credit and COLE went public, he was dismissed as lion—if those jobs were in higher-wage indus- they can be incentivized to hire more. having a minority opinion. Well, that tries such as manufacturing or professional Tomorrow our Joint Economic Com- is not true anymore. His comments services, or if the number of additional jobs mittee will be engaged in a hearing on sparked a trend. In addition to those was greater than previously estimated. fiscal cliff issues. We will discuss strat- Republicans who have spoken out pub- egies to create jobs, and we will discuss licly, there are probably dozens of ESTIMATED BENEFITS OF THE PAYROLL TAX CUT IN 2012 the implications of the fiscal cliff and other TOM COLEs in the House who just FOR AMERICAN FAMILIES, BY STATE what will happen if we don’t get some don’t feel free to speak their mind but Median Household work done by the House to pass the agree with him privately. Wage and Salary Additional Take- middle-income tax cut that was passed Just this morning, in an appearance State Income (2011 In- Home Pay from flation-Adjusted 2% Payroll Tax here in a bipartisan fashion. So we on cable television, the junior Senator Dollars) Cut in 2012 have a lot of work to do, but I think from Oklahoma, an unquestioned con- one thing we have to make sure we do United States ...... $51,726 $1,035 servative, came out on higher tax rates Alabama ...... $45,821 $916 is to continue to focus on middle-in- on the wealthy. He said: Alaska ...... $66,185 $1,324 come families, their lives, their strug- Arizona ...... $47,348 $947 Personally, I know we have to raise rev- Arkansas ...... $40,729 $815 gles, and what we can do to make sure enue; I don’t really care which way we do it. California ...... $58,243 $1,165 they have more dollars in their pockets Actually, I would rather see the rates go up Colorado ...... $54,985 $1,100 Connecticut ...... $69,240 $1,385 to continue economic growth. than do it the other way, because it gives us Delaware ...... $58,040 $1,161 Mr. President, I yield the floor, and I greater chance to reform the tax code and District of Columbia ...... $71,277 $1,426 broaden the base in the future. Florida ...... $45,821 $916 suggest the absence of a quorum. Georgia ...... $48,061 $961 The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Well, if Senator COBURN does not pro- Hawaii ...... $61,094 $1,222 Idaho ...... $40,933 $819 clerk will call the roll. vide conservative cover, I don’t know Illinois ...... $56,003 $1,120 The assistant bill clerk proceeded to who does. Indiana ...... $48,061 $961 Iowa ...... $49,894 $998 call the roll. The House Republican leadership is Kansas ...... $48,875 $978 Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask like generals hunkered away in a bunk- ...... $44,802 $896 Louisiana ...... $45,821 $916 unanimous consent that the order for er who don’t realize their army has al- ...... $45,821 $916 the quorum call be rescinded. ready laid down their arms. The Repub- Maryland ...... $71,277 $1,426 Massachusetts ...... $68,018 $1,360 The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without lican leaders are in search of an exit Michigan ...... $47,959 $959 objection, it is so ordered. strategy, while they have one in the Minnesota ...... $57,021 $1,140 Mississippi ...... $39,711 $794’ Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I form of a discharge petition that has Missouri ...... $46,839 $937 would like to thank my great colleague been filed in the House. It is an out for Montana ...... $42,257 $845 Nebraska ...... $48,875 $978 from Pennsylvania. I enjoyed sharing a the Speaker. With the discharge peti- Nevada ...... $48,875 $978 table last night with him and his beau- tion, the Speaker doesn’t have to out- New Hampshire ...... $64,149 $1,283 New Jersey ...... $71,277 $1,426 tiful, charming, intelligent wife, whom right endorse the Senate bill; all he New Mexico ...... $42,766 $855 he would be the first to admit he is needs to do is tell his Members: Sign New York ...... $60,076 $1,202 North Carolina ...... $43,886 $878 lucky to have married, and their four your conscience. If you believe in the North Dakota ...... $47,348 $947 great girls. I also thank him for his ex- discharge petition, sign it, and there Ohio ...... $48,875 $978 Oklahoma ...... $43,784 $876 cellent on-target remarks. We have a will be no recrimination against you. Oregon ...... $46,635 $933 great chairman of the JEC, and every If Speaker BOEHNER does that, I am Pennsylvania ...... $52,948 $1,059 Rhode Island ...... $57,021 $1,140 time he comes to the floor it shows. confident the discharge petition will South Carolina ...... $42,766 $855 Senator OLYMPIA SNOWE, Bill Kristol get 218 signatures and then we will get South Dakota ...... $46,839 $937 of the Weekly Standard, Congressman Tennessee ...... $42,766 $855 218 votes on the floor. We may not get Texas ...... $50,199 $1,004 MIKE SIMPSON of Idaho, David Brooks, a majority of the majority, but we will Utah ...... $54,985 $1,100 Congresswoman BONO MACK, Congress- Vermont ...... $52,948 $1,059 definitely get 218 votes. So we may Virginia ...... $63,131 $1,263 man WALTER JONES, and the National never win over the PAUL RYANs in the Washington ...... $58,040 $1,161 Review, we are here to say that passing ...... $42,766 $855 other Chamber, but they aren’t nec- Wisconsin ...... $50,912 $1,018 the Senate’s middle-class tax cut is the essary—they can vote no or they can Wyoming ...... $54,985 $1,100 right thing to do, but you don’t need to even vote present. Source: Joint Economic Committee Chairman’s staff calculations using take our word for it. Two thirds of the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- data from the 2011 American Community Survey micro data files. American public agrees with us, but ator’s time has expired. Mr. CASEY. Mr. President, just a you don’t need to take their word for it Mr. SCHUMER. I ask unanimous con- couple of points when you look at the either. Just listen to the voices within sent that I be given 1 additional economic impact on families when Speaker BOEHNER’s own party. minute.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:41 Dec 06, 2012 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A05DE6.001 S05DEPT1 smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with S7420 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 5, 2012 The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without perform jobs where we have qualified The STEM Jobs Act would mitigate objection, it is so ordered. Americans waiting in line for these the problem with the diversity lottery Mr. SCHUMER. Put the bill on the jobs. The fact of the matter is, we do visa, which again does not distinguish floor, let rank-and-file Republicans not produce enough American-born between immigrants based upon the vote their conscience, and this bill can workers to fill the job vacancies in qualifications they have or their abil- pass. these fields. ity to create jobs or be entrepreneurs. In today, it was Many of these potential job creators It would mitigate this problem by reported that senior aides on the Re- and entrepreneurs attend our colleges making our immigration system more publican side are considering just such and universities. You might even say economically sensible. It would estab- a strategy to give them a soft landing that the American taxpayer helps sub- lish new visa categories for 55,000 on this tax debate—agree to the Presi- sidize their education because many of STEM graduates of American research dent’s offer on the tax, the thinking them received world-class training at institutions and would eliminate the goes, and live to fight another day on our public and private colleges and uni- random diversity lottery visa to offset spending cuts. versities and then reluctantly return these new green cards. We agree that a tax hike on middle- home to pursue their careers because Our competitors abroad are observing class Americans should be taken off they cannot get a visa or cannot get a this brain drain that America is experi- the table. Once Republicans agree to green card here in America. We are cul- encing and they are taking advantage higher rates on the wealthy, an agree- tivating human capital and then send- of it. In a global economy they are ment on the other sticking points of a ing those individuals back home. more than happy to take the best and grand bargain can quickly fall into This is an area where there is broad the brightest foreign students who place. So let’s stop with the offers and support. My colleague Senator MORAN come and train in the United States the counteroffers that are leaked only recently wrote a ‘‘Dear Colleague’’ let- and to encourage them to come to their countries and create jobs and eco- to manufacture headlines in the press. ter which points out that roughly—he nomic growth there. This relatively Let’s get serious and cross the biggest cites in the letter that more than minor change to our immigration sys- item of our to-do list off and get the three-quarters of voters support a tem could deliver a major boost to U.S. Senate tax cut bill passed. STEM-type visa. He quotes in this let- economic growth. I realize many of our I yield the floor. ter, dated July 20, 2012, 87 percent of The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Democrats polled, 72 percent of Repub- colleagues have different priorities when it comes to fixing our broken im- ator from Texas. licans polled, and 65 percent of Inde- migration system, but the reforms con- Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I ask pendents support the creation of a tained in the STEM Jobs Act enjoy bi- unanimous consent the next 45 minutes STEM visa. Of course if you think partisan support. be devoted to a colloquy between my- about it, it is common sense. Why in I urge my colleagues, let’s show the self and my colleagues on this side of the world would we want to subsidize world we can agree on this common- the aisle. the education of these students from sense, bipartisan immigration reform. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without other countries, train them in these Let’s do something for our economy objection, it is so ordered. highly specialized and highly desirable and let’s take this first step in solving f fields, and then simply send them our broken immigration system. home? STEM JOBS ACT Before I turn the floor over to my I have introduced legislation over the colleague from Kentucky, who I know Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, this last past years that would increase the has some comments on this topic, let week the House of Representatives number of H1B visas, which are not me address two issues quickly. I can passed a bipartisan piece of legislation green cards. They are actually tem- anticipate hearing from some of our called the STEM Jobs Act. For those porary visas that would allow more of colleagues that this does not solve all who are unfamiliar with the term these foreign national students, of what is broken in our immigration STEM, it stands for science, tech- trained in these STEM fields, to stay system, and I concede that is correct. nology, engineering, and math—the here in the United States and help cre- But what we need more than anything hard sciences programs that we have ate jobs here in the United States. This is to develop some confidence-building too few graduates from in our colleges bill actually goes a step further. What measures for the American people to and universities. This bill passed in the it does is it provides them a green card, demonstrate that we can come to- House of Representatives with 245 which is the first step toward a path to gether, Republicans and Democrats votes and was originally sponsored by citizenship. alike, and do what needs to be done my friend and colleague If you believe our current policy is a which almost everybody agrees is com- of Texas. It is very similar to a piece of self-inflicted wound on our economy, mon sense and then we can follow on legislation I myself introduced earlier you are exactly right. We are educating with other solutions on a targeted this year. brilliant students and then compelling basis for our broken immigration sys- The goal of this legislation is one them to go to work in Shanghai or tem. that I think enjoys broad bipartisan Singapore rather than San Antonio or I once believed, back in 2005, when support, and that is to help the United the Silicon Valley. Meanwhile, we are Senator JON KYL from Arizona and I States retain more of the highly handing out tens of thousands of diver- introduced something we called the skilled immigrants who come to study sity visas to immigrants chosen by Comprehensive Border Security and at our colleges and universities. In par- random lottery, without regard to any Immigration Reform Act of 2005, we ticular, this bill would make eligible qualifications they may have when it should address this issue comprehen- for a green card those who graduate comes to job creation and entrepre- sively. We tried in 2007. That bill failed from the STEM fields who get a mas- neurship. It makes absolutely no sense. on the Senate floor when Senator REID ter’s degree or a Ph.D. We would not I believe we need an immigration pol- pulled the bill from the floor. add to the net number of green cards icy that serves our national interests. I believe now, given the temper of the that would be eligible. There are 55,000 If there is one thing that we need more times and given the skepticism with diversity lottery visa green cards that than anything else now, we need job which the American people view us would be substituted for by these creators and entrepreneurs in the here in Congress, the only way we are STEM green cards. United States. We know in the global going to crack this nut is to start We all know America’s immigration economy it is people with special skills small in targeted reforms such as the system is broken. Unfortunately, it in science, technology, engineering, STEM Jobs Act. I believe this is the be- causes self-inflicted wounds in many and mathematics who are the ones who ginning and not the end of fixing what respects, but particularly by driving are going to help us create jobs and is broken about our immigration re- away highly skilled foreign workers grow the economy—not just for these form system. But if we cannot do this— who want to start businesses and cre- individuals but for the people who are if we cannot do this—I have next to no ate jobs right here in America. This is hired by the startup businesses they confidence we can do the rest that not about hiring foreign workers to will create. needs to be done as well.

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