David Cicilline

Mr. CICILLINE

Mr. CICILLINE. I just want to say that I think one of the things that we sort of recognize and are very proud of as Americans is that we have always revered our system of higher education and that we have always understood that people's ability to access education is part of, for many young people, the way they help to realize the American Dream for themselves and their families. We've always prided ourselves as a democracy on this mobility: that no matter who you are, if you want to and if you work hard enough, you can go to college and you can afford to, and then you can build a better life for yourself and your family. This mobility is really a key part of the American success story. I read recently a piece in The Times about our living in a time now when that mobility is really being threatened, and college access is part of that challenge. If we are going to preserve the mobility that has made this democracy so strong and so great, we have to be sure we protect access to higher education for the young people who are pursuing it. It's not only that it's going to be this incredible hardship on families, but we're going to be crushing the dreams of many young people. As you said, as they're getting these decisions in the mail, some young people are going to have to decide, you know, I can't go to the college of my choice. I can't pursue this dream I have because I'm not going to be able to afford to pay back these loans at these interest rates. We're going to be crushing the dreams of young people. As you said, we can fix it. This is easy. This is something we can do by congressional action, and we should do it. We shouldn't wait 73 days. I was always taught--I think we were all taught--that education is the key. I come from a State that understands that. As I said, it's the home of Senator Pell. We understood education to be the key to success as well as the access to education for our own futures and the futures of young people. We've got to fix it. This is wrong. It's going to hurt families. It's going to hurt our economy. We've got to take action.

Mr. CICILLINE

Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Sergeant Dennis Weichel, Jr., of the Rhode Island National Guard. Last month, while serving our country in Afghanistan, Sergeant Weichel saved a young Afghan child who had crawled underneath a moving armored vehicle in order to collect a brass shell casing. Responding quickly, Sergeant Weichel moved the child to safety, even though doing so placed him in the path of the same armored vehicle and took his life. Sergeant Weichel is an American hero who gave his life to protect a child he did not even know. Rhode Islanders are often reminded that we come from the smallest State in the Union, but today, Sergeant Dennis Weichel's actions have touched our entire Nation and are an example of the sacrifices made every day by our brave men and women in uniform. My thoughts and prayers go out to his mother, Linda; his father Dennis, Sr.; his fiancee, Ashley; and his three children.

Mr. CICILLINE

Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, on March 29, 2012, less than a year after a similar proposal was defeated, the House Republican leadership held a vote on H. Con. Res. 112--The Republican Fiscal Year 2013 Budget Resolution. This budget proposal sets the wrong priorities for my home state of Rhode Island and the nation as a whole--extending tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, making deep cuts to programs that serve middle class families, and ending the Medicare guarantee for our seniors. As the Congressman representing Rhode Island's First District, I have listened to families across my district who are tired of the same old political games that got our country into this mess to begin with. They know that Washington should put politics aside and work on policies that will create jobs, support the middle class, and put the economy back on the right track. Yet, the budget proposed by Representative Paul Ryan (R WI), and approved 228 191 by the House of Representatives, would not only fail to create jobs, it would also give the wealthiest Americans an average tax cut of $150,000, cut education and job training programs by a total of $166 billion over the next ten years, slash transportation and infrastructure investments by at least twenty- five percent over 10 years, and reduce investments in science, research, and technology by more than $100 billion over a decade. With so many Americans out of work, it's hard to believe that the House Republican leadership would ask members to support a budget proposal that would seriously undermine key investments that are so important to creating jobs. Rather than trying to pass another tax giveaway for the richest among us, House Republicans should join with Democrats and enact public policies that will actually benefit our seniors, and middle class and working families. Instead the Republican budget proposal will undermine our economic recovery, and replace the current health care system for our seniors with a voucher program that could allow Medicare to wither on the vine, create higher costs, and reduce the overall quality of health care services. That is why I supported an alternative budget proposal introduced by Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D MD) that would have preserved the Medicare guarantee, permanently extended middle class tax cuts, and maintained vital investments in transportation jobs, manufacturing, and education--while also reducing the deficit through polices that balance spending cuts and increased revenue. This proposal stood in stark contrast to the Republican plan--and closely aligned with the priorities shared by many Rhode Islanders. On March 28, 2012, I spoke out against the Republican proposal on the House floor, and the following day I joined all of my Democratic colleagues and 10 Republicans in voting against this bill. With virtually no chance that this radical legislation will ever pass in the Senate, it is unfortunate that some in Washington have once again chosen political posturing over pragmatism. All of us in Congress need to help reignite the American dream and build ladders of opportunity for anyone willing to work hard, take responsibility, and play by the rules. There were alternative budget proposals presented in the House of Representatives during debate, including options offered by the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) and the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). Both initiatives were superior to Representative Ryan's Republican budget document, and included provisions that would preserve the Medicare guarantee, eliminate tax subsidies for big oil companies and loopholes that encourage corporations to ship jobs overseas, and maintain vital investments in education, job creating initiatives, manufacturing, and capital access for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Ultimately, while I support a number of the proposals offered in both the CPC and CBC budget alternatives, I believed the Van Hollen proposal aligned most closely with priorities shared by many Rhode Islanders--including a permanent extension of the 2001 2003 tax cuts for the middle class. In addition, unlike both the CPC and CBC proposal, Representative Van Hollen's Democratic alternative adhered to the discretionary spending levels set in the Budget Control Act of 2011--an agreement that represented a bipartisan, bicameral compromise. In order to prevent a first ever default on our nation's obligations, and to avoid the very real potential of an economic catastrophe, I voted in favor of the Budget Control Act on August 8, 2011. To be clear, there was a lot about this compromise legislation that I did not like, but my prerequisite for voting in favor of the bill was that we avoid a default and we protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid beneficiaries, which this bill did. Just as I could not support Representative Ryan's proposal to walk away from this compromise legislation and make further, dramatic reductions to discretionary spending below the caps set by the Budget Control Act, I also could not support alternatives that did not adhere to the bipartisan, bicameral compromise we agreed to less than one year ago. There were other proposals, including one offered by Congressmen Jim Cooper (D TN) and Steven LaTourette (R OH) purportedly modeled after recommendations of the Simpson-Bowles Commission (so named after the co-chairs of President Obama's Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform--former White House Chief of Staff under President Clinton, Erskine Bowles, and former Republican Senator Alan Simpson). The Simpson-Bowles Commission clearly depicted the unsustainable nature of our country's deficit and debt, and delineated a number of policies for serious debate in order to improve our nation's fiscal trajectory. However, the budget proposal offered by Representatives Cooper and LaTourette contained provisions that I believe set the wrong priorities. For example, the Cooper-LaTourette plan contained $1 trillion less in revenue increases as compared to the Simpson-Bowles Commission recommendations--further eroding the balance between revenue increases and spending reductions needed to achieve deficit reduction that does not fall disproportionately on the backs of the middle class and working families. In addition, the Cooper-LaTourette plan includes $100 billion more in discretionary program reductions than recommended by the Simpson-Bowles report, further distorting the ratio between revenue raisers and spending cuts. Furthermore, the Cooper-LaTourette proposal calls for a shift in corporate tax policy that the Treasury Department has argued would increase incentives for corporations to shift investment and jobs overseas. Lastly, the proposal from Congressman Cooper and LaTourette, like the Simpson-Bowles plan, would undermine the benefits and guarantees of Social Security and Medicare. Ultimately, with so many Rhode Islanders struggling to find work, our fragile economic recovery in the balance, and our seniors in need a strong voice to protect the benefits they earned and deserve, I supported an alternative budget proposal that would have preserved the Medicare guarantee, permanently extended middle class tax cuts, and maintained vital investments in transportation jobs, manufacturing, and education--while also reducing the deficit through polices that balance spending cuts and increased revenue. My constituents in Rhode Island's First Congressional District, and the American people as a whole, deserve nothing less.

Mr. CICILLINE

Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to the Republican budget proposal offered by Mr. Ryan of Wisconsin. My home State of Rhode Island has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. My constituents need commonsense solutions that will create jobs and get our country back on the right track, not another extreme proposal from the House Republican leadership. Unfortunately, this budget proposal would give the wealthiest Americans an average tax cut of $150,000 while slashing important support for middle class families and investments that we need to grow our economy. And once again, House Republicans are proposing to end the Medicare guarantee for our seniors; in this case, by replacing it with a voucher program that would not be guaranteed to keep pace with rising health care costs, which could result in higher costs for our seniors and less quality of care. I urge my colleagues to reject this proposal.

Mr. CICILLINE

Mr. CICILLINE. Madam Speaker, I rise to commemorate the 51st anniversary of the United States Peace Corps. Since its founding in 1961, the Peace Corps has sent 200,000 American men and women to serve in 139 countries. Among the 9,000 serving around the world today are residents of Rhode Island's First Congressional District: Sara Chace, Jenna de St. Jorre, Andrew Egan, Frank Hoder, Daniel Malin, Peter Pagonis, and Daniel Restivo. Peace Corps volunteers create new opportunities, expand development, and encourage progress around the world. Year after year, these selfless men and women immerse themselves in the day-to-day life of a developing nation, connect with local residents, and work with them to share information. With the implementation of new policies this year for the Peace Corps Response program, even more volunteers will be eligible to help those most in need. I applaud the Peace Corps for its accomplishments, and offer my thanks to the dedicated volunteers that make it so successful, and I thank them for the difference they're making in the world.

Mr. CICILLINE

Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Girl Scouts of Rhode Island, a program that strives to help young girls become model citizens. In honor of the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts of America, as well as National Women's History Month, I'm pleased to recognize the contributions that the Girl Scouts have made in Rhode Island where it has reached 9,400 girls through its 770 troops in the past year. More than just going door to door selling Thin Mints and Tagalongs to their friends and neighbors, the Girl Scouts of Rhode Island provide young women and girls across our State with the opportunity to take part in a group that builds girls of honor, confidence, courage, and character who make the world a better place and giving them a foundation for success later in life. The Girl Scouts of Rhode Island should take great pride in the work they do every day. I congratulate the Girl Scouts of Rhode Island on their incredible work.

Mr. CICILLINE

Mr. CICILLINE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to discuss an issue that is very important to the hardworking men and women in my home State of Rhode Island. Rhode Islanders learned yesterday that our workforce has grown smaller and our unemployment rate sits at 10.9 percent, the third highest in the Nation. While some may struggle to see these problems from the steps of the Capitol, I hear frequently from constituents who can't understand why the House still has not considered a comprehensive jobs plan. That's why I and many of my colleagues have been working hard on legislation to put Americans back to work, including our Make it In America agenda to help reinvigorate American manufacturing. We also need to start developing new ways to repair America's infrastructure and new ways to finance it, like a national infrastructure bank, a modern-day version of the WPA, and provide much needed help to small businesses and entrepreneurs. Yet the House leadership has stood in the path of progress on these issues. Rhode Islanders know that Congress can do better. We need to work together and get these things done and get the American people back to work.

Mr. CICILLINE

Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, 47 years ago this month, nearly 8,000 men and women from every walk of life took to the streets in Selma, Alabama in three successive marches to demand full and equal rights for every American. These ordinary heroes were brutally beaten by Alabama State Troopers as they crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma on Sunday, March 7, 1965. The horrifying images of Bloody Sunday, as it would become known, were captured on film and broadcast around the world--ultimately helping to galvanize national support for civil rights. Undeterred, the marchers returned twice more, walking the streets and highways of Alabama in an unflinching show of support for equality. Among them were Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Ralph Abernathy, and our colleague Congressman John Lewis. I had the great honor last year of marking this important civil rights moment by traveling to Selma with Congressman Lewis and participating in a reenactment of this march. It was, without question, one of the most extraordinary moments of my life. I would also like to take a moment to recognize the extraordinary achievement of my colleague, Congresswoman Terri Sewell, a member of this year's freshman class, who grew up in and now represents Selma, Alabama. Congresswoman Sewell was born in Alabama the same year as the Selma marches, and as the first African-American woman elected to Congress from Alabama and a Rhodes Scholar, I believe that her success is a testament to the lasting legacy of the brave men and women who risked their lives for equality almost a half century ago. I join my colleagues in saluting the heroes of Selma, Alabama today.

Mr. CICILLINE

Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, as Rhode Islanders and men and women across America are hard at work trying to put our country back on the right track, the threat of rising gas prices raises a specter of another difficult driving season ahead. While our government subsidizes Big Oil to the tune of $3 billion each year, they continue to run up record profits as hardworking families pay higher and higher prices for gas. In my home State of Rhode Island where families are struggling with an 11 percent unemployment rate and the average price of a gallon of regular gas is now $3.79, rising fuel costs put far too many hardworking families at risk. The Federal Price Gouging Prevention Act, which my colleague Mr. Bishop has introduced, would help guarantee that should we face an energy emergency, middle class families are not at the mercy of Wall Street speculators every time they fill up their car. While we have to work together permanently to end our addiction to foreign sources of oil, in the short term we must act on legislation like the Federal Price Gouging Prevention Act that will help prevent Wall Street speculators from taking unfair advantage of consumers at the pump during energy emergencies.

Mr. CICILLINE

Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Congressman Ed Royce be removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 1912.

Mr. CICILLINE

Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Reach Out and Read Rhode Island, a program that works with doctors to encourage young patients and their families to read. In honor of the upcoming Read Across America Day, I wish to recognize the contributions this program makes in my home State, where it reaches 35,000 infant-to-preschool-aged children each year in 44 locations. Reach Out and Read Rhode Island provides free books through pediatricians' offices for children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years old, creating a small library for children and emphasizing the importance of reading. Reach Out and Read Rhode Island helps to distribute 60,000 books each year to young children and their families, working to build a foundation for when a child enters school. Reach Out and Read Rhode Island should take great pride in the contributions it makes to our young children. I congratulate Reach Out and Read Rhode Island on its success.

Mr. CICILLINE

Mr. CICILLINE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize the contributions made by the hardworking men and women at the Raytheon Company. Every day, the innovators at Raytheon strive to develop new technologies to defend our country and ensure the safety of our men and women in uniform. Raytheon, a defense research firm, employs 75,000 employees throughout our country and 1,300 in the town of Portsmouth in my home district in Rhode Island. Raytheon's accomplishments were honored during Aviation Week's Annual Program Excellence Awards ceremony for its work to develop combat system software and mission system equipment for the next generation of surface combat ships--the DDG-1000 Zumwalt class destroyer. Aviation Week awarded Raytheon top honors in the category of system level production. Raytheon's employees should take pride in the contributions they are making to our local economy and to ensuring the continued strength of the United States Navy. I congratulate Raytheon on their impressive achievements.

Mr. CICILLINE

Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Chairman, a little over a year ago when the Republican conference was meeting to discuss changes to the rules of the House for the 112th Congress, I offered a commonsense proposal. In a letter I sent to the chairman of the Rules Committee in January of 2011, I shared my belief that our priority in this Congress must be to enact legislation that will lead to job growth. I further stated that, given our priority of job creation, the new rules of the 112th Congress should require disclosure of the impact on job creation of any legislation being considered by the full House. That was 1 year ago, yet here we are today rehashing a seemingly age-old debate over trickle-down economics. While we debate back and forth about whether H.R. 3582, the Pro- Growth Budgeting Act, is just another attempt to strengthen the case for passing large tax cuts while minimizing the actual costs, back home in my State, the State of Rhode Island, more than 60,000 men and women are without jobs. While we debate a bill with dim prospects of ever passing the Senate, more than 13 million Americans remain unemployed. Just as many of you have seen in your own districts what I've seen firsthand in my district, the toll that this recession has taken on our families, our businesses, and our communities. My State was one of the first States in the Northeast to be hit by the recession, and like many other States, our recovery is slow; and with 10.8 percent unemployment, the toll continues. That's why, 1 year later, I'm still here expressing the same urgent need for Congress to understand, as we consider legislation, whether our legislative actions will result in job creation or job loss, and this is precisely what my amendment would do. My amendment would strike the underlying language in H.R. 3582 and replace it with the text of the Job Score Act, which I introduced earlier in this session. This proposal would amend the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require that, in addition to cost estimates, the Congressional Budget Office also prepare an estimate of the number of jobs which would be created, sustained, or lost by enactment of the legislation reported by the committee, including regional and State- level estimates. A companion to the Job Score Act has been introduced into the Senate with bipartisan support, Republicans and Democrats. A commonsense approach, there's no voodoo economics in this amendment. There's no controversial provisions requiring budget estimates that assume the extension of the Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. My amendment would not require the inclusion of subjective and uncertain macroeconomic feedback in revenue estimates. This amendment goes beyond reviewing only major legislation and requires a jobs impact assessment for every bill that requires a formal CBO score. My amendment is simple, straightforward, and should be a proposal that any Member who's serious about focusing on jobs can support. Given these challenging economic times and their profound impact on the lives of men, women, and families throughout America, we need to ensure that the policies deliberated in Congress include an evaluation of the impact on job creation. This amendment puts politics, partisanship, and controversial economic policy aside. Americans deserve to know whether the actions taken in Washington are likely to result in job creation or job loss. My legislation will help provide Congress with this vitally important assessment. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CICILLINE. The amendment that I've offered does substitute the existing bill, and that's because, in fact, it is a terrible bill. And that's why I proposed this amendment--to substitute it--to avoid what the bill that is on the floor does. It avoids the partisanship, the controversial economic policy for which there is so much disagreement and which we've heard about for the last hour. There is no hidden agenda as to high tax cuts while trying to use as a baseline the Bush tax cuts. It puts aside all of the disagreements about which we've just heard for 1 hour, and it uses common sense. I certainly suggest to my friend, the gentleman from Georgia, that, in fact, the single most important analysis we should be doing on every single bill that the CBO does an analysis of is jobs. Will this bill create jobs if we pass it? Will it cause the loss of jobs? That is the most urgent responsibility we have in Congress right now. This bill simply says that the analysis that should be done on every bill that the CBO does is to ask: Will it create jobs? Will it cause the loss of jobs? We would do that statewide and regionally. Why is that information valuable? Because we should be singularly focused on job creation. We should avoid the kind of partisanship in disputes about trickle-down economics, voodoo economics; about the tax policy and about using the Bush tax cuts as the baseline. We need a commonsense approach that simply says that Members of Congress should have the information and should know does this create jobs or does it not before making a decision. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CICILLINE. How much time remains, Mr. Chairman?

Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. CICILLINE

Mr. CICILLINE. Madam Speaker, I rise to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Newport Art Museum and Art Association. Founded in 1912 for the purpose of promoting and exhibiting fine arts and fostering art education within the community, the Newport Art Museum continues to enhance community life as a shared place for the arts and culture. One hundred years after its founding, the Newport Art Museum is, without question, one of our great museums. The museum has received full accreditation from the American Association of Museums, the highest national recognition of a museum's commitment to accountability, public service, professional museum standards, and excellence in education and stewardship. This valuable community resource inspires passion for the arts in diverse audiences in Rhode Island and other localities through exhibitions and collections, arts education, historic preservation, and arts and cultural programming. It's a true honor to recognize the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Newport Art Museum.

Mr. CICILLINE

Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, my constituents in Rhode Island have been hit hard by this recession. Last night, President Obama offered Congress a plan to rebuild our economy with proposals focused on manufacturing, innovation, investments in infrastructure and workforce training, proposals that I and many of my colleagues have been working hard to advance. I urge my friends on the other side of the aisle to move forward on the Offshore Prevention Act that would end tax breaks for companies that ship American jobs overseas. We should work together to strengthen American manufacturing by passing legislation such as my Make it in America Block Grant and the rest of the Make it in America agenda. I look forward to fighting hard for commonsense proposals like these that will benefit hardworking families in my State. Rhode Islanders want Congress to move beyond ideological differences to get things done for our country. After so much unproductive partisanship this past year, let's send the President bills like these that will advance not just the interests of Democrats or Republicans, but of every American family.

Mr. CICILLINE

Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, Congress should not be waiting until the 11th hour to act on behalf of the American people. And yet here we are with the Federal emergency unemployment compensation program and the payroll tax cut scheduled to end in just a couple of weeks, which will cause tremendous harm to the American people. This holiday, thousands of Rhode Islanders are wondering whether they will be able to afford to stay in their homes, afford to go grocery shopping, and whether they will be able to afford their heating and electricity bills. Americans are being left with real uncertainty because of the failure of this body to act responsibly. It's a shame that extending emergency unemployment compensation and the payroll tax cut have become the latest victims of partisan politics. But it's not too late to act to provide families with a measure of assurance that they will be able to meet their basic necessities in the weeks to come. I've heard from many of my constituents about the devastating impact that ending unemployment benefits or a tax increase will have. Let's get it done.

Mr. CICILLINE

Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor our brave men and women returning home from Iraq, especially Rhode Island's Company D, 126 TAC. Thank you for your tremendous dedication, selfless efforts, and courageous service to our country. Tragically, thousands of our servicemembers have made the ultimate sacrifice, and I join all Americans in honoring their service and sacrifice and those of their families. It is because of you that we are able to enjoy the great freedoms, privileges, and rights we have here at home. With the homecoming of our troops from Iraq, we must keep our promise to our veterans. On the battlefield, the military pledge is to leave no soldier behind. As a Nation, let it be our pledge that, when they return home, we leave no veteran behind. We must do everything we can to honor them by guaranteeing they have the help they need in finding employment, in securing housing, and in accessing quality health care. The men and women who have served our country demonstrate the ideals of bravery and patriotism. Now let us work together to create a future worthy of their service.

Mr. CICILLINE

Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, millions of hardworking Americans have lost their jobs in this economic crisis through no fault of their own. But rather than standing up and helping struggling Americans, yesterday this Chamber advanced a bill doomed to fail because of all of the unrelated and controversial riders that were attached. According to the Rhode Island State director of labor, for every two part- or full-time positions in Rhode Island there are seven applicants. There's an urgent need for Congress to extend Federal emergency unemployment compensation in my State with a total of 58,000 unemployed Rhode Islanders. This social safety net provides a lifeline to struggling individuals, helping them to pay their mortgage and utilities as well as put food on the table for their families. Families like Betsy Hamel's in Jamestown, Rhode Island. Betsy supports her disabled husband and her severely disabled son but doesn't know how she'll make ends meet while continuing to look for work if unemployment assistance is not extended. It's time to stop playing partisan games and stand up for the millions of Americans like Betsy and extend unemployment benefits now.

Mr. CICILLINE

Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. CICILLINE

Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, during rollcall vote No. 894 on H.R. 2055, I mistakenly recorded my vote as ``no'' when I should have voted ``yes.'' Appointment of Conferees THE SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Westmoreland). Without objection, the Chair appoints the following conferees: Messrs. Rogers of Kentucky, Young of Florida, Lewis of California, Frelinghuysen, Aderholt, Mrs. Emerson, Ms. Granger, Messrs. Simpson, Culberson, Crenshaw, Rehberg, Carter, Dicks, Visclosky, Mrs. Lowey, Mr. Serrano, Ms. DeLauro, Messrs. Moran, Price of North Carolina, and Bishop of Georgia.

Mr. CICILLINE

Mr. CICILLINE. Madam Speaker, we simply cannot leave Washington before extending the payroll tax cut and unemployment assistance. With our economy still struggling and unemployment remaining unacceptably high at 10.4 percent in my home State of Rhode Island, now is not the time to take more money out of the pockets of hardworking families. Allowing the payroll tax cuts to expire at the end of this month will mean less money in the pockets of 600,000 hardworking Rhode Islanders. It is absolutely critical that we extend the payroll tax cut which is saving working families an average of $1,000 per year and would add $400 million to Rhode Island's economy next year. We have to do everything we can to strengthen our middle class families who are struggling to make ends meet and provide assistance to those families who need it most. If Congress does not extend emergency unemployment assistance, thousands of Rhode Islanders, as well as millions of Americans who rely on this critical safety net, will lose their assistance. This will have a devastating impact on these families and on our economy. Rather than providing subsidies to Big Oil companies and arguing for more tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires, it's time for Congress to stand up for American families and to extend the payroll tax cut and unemployment compensation.