Richard Neal

Mr. NEAL

Mr. NEAL. Madam Speaker, in December and again in May, this House passed legislation to extend a popular set of expiring tax provisions providing billions of dollars in relief to millions of American families. That tax bill passed the House and has been stymied in the other body where only two Republican Senators have stood up against their party's own filibuster against these tax cuts. Let me tell you who's suffering in the meantime: 42,000 families in Kentucky cannot deduct $108 million in college tuition fees; 86,000 families in Arizona cannot deduct $166 million in tuition fees; 304,000 families in Texas cannot deduct $708 million in college tuition fees. Nationwide, more than 4 million families cannot deduct $10.5 billion in college expenses. A college degree means a better job for your kid. I urge our colleagues on the other side of the aisle to contact their Senators and tell them that Tax Extenders means jobs.

Mr. NEAL

Mr. NEAL. I thank Mr. McDermott. I stand in full support of this emergency legislation that will restore the safety net to millions of American families. Those families have been waiting for this relief since June. Their faith in us has been tested, but today we are going to extend the help that they need. I have spoken many times on this floor of the legendary mayor of Boston, James Michael Curley, a great orator. Curley spoke with great empathy about the forgotten man, and that's whom we're talking about today, the forgotten man and the forgotten woman, those individuals who have worked hard and played by the rules and have every reason to believe that America ought to provide them assistance in this difficult time. He also would suggest that, in simplicity, the great ally of our civilization was a full stomach. We need to be reminded of that grim economic statistic for those who are outside the mainstream. Let me also remind our friends here on the other side, in record time, in October of 2008, this Congress came to the aid of Wall Street. It didn't take us long to embrace the Troubled Asset Relief Program of George Bush to keep standing many of those institutions that helped create the problem that we currently find ourselves in. There are millions of people, those who have served in Vietnam, those who have served in Afghanistan, and those who have served in Iraq and other theaters around the world, who are struggling in this economy. America is about building a community, a place where no one wants to be abandoned and no one wants to be left behind. The great bounty of God's work has been to ensure that people in America, regardless of their political differences, have enough to eat and shelter. This opportunity to extend unemployment benefits for the American people ought to meet this moment, and I urge adoption of this measure.

Mr. NEAL

Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I stand in support of this job-creating legislation. This legislation before us today is going to advance American manufacturing competitiveness in an increasingly global economy, and it furthers our goal of doubling exports over the next 5 years. Yet we hear strong opposition to this legislation today. Let me tell you something: It's Orwellian what you just heard--or, in street parlance, it's a reach. There is clearly an opportunity for us to get past some of the pettiness of this institution and move forward on legislation that at one time would guarantee 400 votes. There is nothing that we are attempting to hide with this legislation. The markings have been posted on the Internet. Now, our opponents have even authored some of these provisions. They have decided, if somehow they help an American company, that it's dirty business. One of the provisions that I've offered in this bill today helps a manufacturing company in my district--and by the way, it's headquartered in a Republican Member's district, a Member who, apparently, is going to vote against it today, and we are going to hear opposition that doesn't stand up under the magnifying glass. These tariff reductions are simply taxes on imports, but these imported products are based upon no American manufacturer making them; so it only raises taxes on the cost of an American importer who uses the raw material to create a marketable product for sale. This bill will lower production costs and increase American manufacturing competitiveness. Now, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers and others have said this is a job booster, estimated to increase the GDP by--listen to this--several billion dollars. This has been a model for bipartisanship in the past, for transparency and for good policy that promotes American manufacturing and jobs, which ought to be our current and lasting priority--but today, things have changed. There is no other bill, no other legislative process that requires the same magnitude of disclosure that this legislation does. No other bill requires the certification that this legislation does. It is a model for sunlight and transparency. Yet some today will urge a vote against this legislation? I'm not one of them. I am glad to stand here and to support the provision that I have offered that will help a company in my district that supports 500 very good jobs. I urge adoption.

Mr. NEAL

Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in full support of this emergency legislation that will restore the safety net to millions of American families. Those families have been desperately waiting for this relief since June. Their faith in us had been tested, but today, I am pleased to say we can extend them the help that they need. My colleagues have heard me speak of the legendary mayor of Boston, James Michael Curley. A truly gifted orator. Curley spoke with great empathy about the forgotten man, those individuals who for whatever reason have found themselves outside of the mainstream of economic life. He also would suggest that, in simplicity, that the great ally of civilization was a full stomach. And we need to be reminded of that with the grim economic statistics that America is currently witnessing. Now, also another very pertinent reminder here that I think that we all ought to recall: in October of 2008, in record time this House voted to come to the aid of Wall Street. It didn't take us long, with the Troubled Asset Relief Program, to keep standing many of those institutions that helped create the problem that we find ourselves currently in. Is that relevant today? There are millions of people across this country who have simply found themselves without work. What does that do to an individual who has spent a career, and after 30 years finds the job is gone? And we treat them as though they are simply a statistic after perhaps they served us in an honorable manner in Vietnam, or currently in Iraq, or Afghanistan, or other theaters around the world? America's about building community, Mr. Speaker. America's about a place where nobody's to be abandoned and nobody's to be left behind. The great bounty of God's work has been to ensure that most people in America have shelter and food. This opportunity to extend unemployment benefits for the American people ought to meet this moment. I urge adoption.

Mr. NEAL

Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I want to join all of you in wishing Social Security a happy 75th birthday. Social Security and Medicare are two of the most successful legislative accomplishments in the history of the world. But not everyone in this body is celebrating Social Security's overwhelming success. There are many in this body on the other side who would like to privatize Social Security. Remember the Bush plan--to tie Social Security to the fluctuation of the stock market. This is a gamble we should not take. It is an extraordinary American success story. For those who are simultaneously trying to educate college-aged children and the thought of caring for elderly parents, let me give you the actuarial reality. It's impossible. Simply put, the reason that Mom and Dad are not living in your attic is because of Social Security and Medicare. It is the greatest achievement in legislative history domestically for all American families. Happy birthday, Social Security.

Mr. NEAL

Mr. NEAL. Thank you for yielding, Mr. Chairman. Some of the best speeches that I have ever listened to and/or read come from the legendary mayor of Boston, James Michael Curley. And Curley spoke with great empathy about the forgotten man, those individuals who for whatever reason have found themselves outside of the mainstream of economic life. He also would suggest that, in simplicity, that the great ally of civilization was a full stomach. And we need to be reminded of that with the grim economic statistics that America is currently witnessing. Now, also another very pertinent reminder here that I think that we all ought to recall: in October of 2008, in record time this House voted to come to the aid of Wall Street. It didn't take us long, with the Troubled Asset Relief Program, to keep standing many of those institutions that helped create the problem that we find ourselves currently in. Now, why is that relevant? There are millions of people across this country who have simply found themselves without work. What does that do to an individual who has spent a career, and after 30 years finds the job is gone? And we treat them as though they are simply a statistic after perhaps they served us in an honorable manner in Vietnam, or currently in Iraq, or Afghanistan, or other theaters around the world? America's about building community, Madam Speaker. America's about a place where nobody's to be abandoned and nobody's to be left behind. The great bounty of God's work has been to ensure that most people in America have shelter and food. This opportunity to extend unemployment benefits for the American people ought to meet this moment.

Mr. NEAL

Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, we had an opportunity yesterday to witness another it-will-never-happen moment. Thirty-eight years after 13 unarmed men and women were shot dead on the streets of Derry in the north of Ireland, on a day now known as Bloody Sunday, the families and relatives of the victims have found the justice they've been seeking for decades. They learned the truth yesterday about what happened during a peaceful civil rights march in the Bogside community in January of 1972. And they heard the British Prime Minister David Cameron say that their loved ones were innocent and that the actions of the parachute regimen on that day were unjustified and wrong. If Bloody Sunday was a defining day in the history of the troubles, let us hope the publication of the Saville Report will be transformative and cathartic moment for the people in the north of Ireland. Today we remember those who lost their lives marching near Free Derry and Rossville Flats. We remember Bloody Sunday and those who were wounded. The innocent people have now been exonerated. For those of us who stood up with those families over the course of almost four decades--and I was a staunch supporter of those families-- this is a moment of satisfaction. And at the Guildhall yesterday in Derry, people cheered the vindication of their loved ones who died on that tragic, tragic day.

Mr. NEAL

Mr. NEAL. I thank Mr. Levin for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I stand in support of this small business bill before us today. In addition to the several tax breaks that Mr. Levin has pointed out, the bill will create a lending fund for our community banks to crop into. That's perhaps the most salient part of this proposal, to get capital flowing, to get capital back into the marketplace so that there's an opportunity for small businesses across the country to take advantage of what heretofore has become a dried up resource, and that is the availability of capital. While the data tells us the economy is improving, our small businesses back home are still struggling, and much of that is due to the fact that lines of credit have tightened up or in many instances simply gone away. Now, those businesses are doing their best to keep everyone on the payroll even though sales are slow in an attempt to climb back, but the regulators have kept a strong hand and hold on banks that otherwise might be lending. Now, conceptually, I don't know how you can be opposed to this legislation. Community banks provide more than half of the small business loans in America that are less than $100,000. In Massachusetts alone, commercial bank lending to small businesses through the SBA guarantee program has doubled over the last year. This legislation will help even more. If you really care about small businesses and entrepreneurship and growing the economy, the essential argument here is how do we get these small business people back on their feet. The proposal here is to provide some tax relief. Greater lending possibilities with the prospect of encouraging small businesses to grow and invest is a very important part of what's incorporated in this very piece of legislation. Now, always we would find amongst the 435 of us in this institution a different way to do it, but that's not the proposal in front of us.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Dr. Joseph W. Bascuas for serving as Becker College's interim president and for his promotion of high academic standards. The Becker College Board of Trustees named Dr. Bascuas as interim president on September 26, 2008. Dr. Bascuas gave his leadership and support to the Becker College community in various ways during his tenure. Specifically, he brought more than 25 years of experience in higher education to Becker College. During his time at Becker College, Dr. Bascuas strengthened relations with the local community, encouraging the investment of college resources to the benefit of the local community. Specifically, he effectively emphasized new collaborations with the Town of Leicester Public Schools and championed the college's plans to transition part of the landmark Reverend Samuel May House into a visitor center for the town. On a personal note, I appreciate his interest in promoting civil rights and his personal invitation to address students on this important chapter of our nation's history and served as the commencement speaker for the graduating class of 2010. Becker College is a unique New England college. The institution, which traces its history to 1784, is comprised of two separate campuses only six miles apart, one in Leicester and the other in Worcester, Massachusetts, each with its own dormitories, library, dining hall and academic facilities. The college serves more than 1,700 students from 18 states and 12 countries, and offers more than 25 diverse, quality bachelor degree programs in unique, high-demand career niches ranging from nursing and equine management to computer game design and a variety of adult learning options. Prior to serving as interim president at Becker College, Dr. Bascuas served as president of Medaille College, Buffalo, NY, a private institution that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees, from 2002 through 2006. Dr. Bascuas successfully took Medaille through an accreditation and strategic planning; completed a $2.4 million capital campaign; nearly doubled revenue and undergraduate freshman to sophomore retention; and increased overall and undergraduate enrollment as well as the number of resident students. As founding president of Argosy University Atlanta, GA campus, Bascuas spent 12 years with the Argosy Education Group. During his tenure, the Argosy corporate entity grew from 3 to 13 campuses, offering undergraduate and graduate programs in business, education, and psychology, two law schools, and one technology-focused school. Dr. Bascuas also increased enrollment and revenues at all campuses, introduced new programs at five campuses, and hired presidents at two campuses. Previously, Bascuas has held administrative and teaching positions at the Georgia School of Professional Psychology, Antioch University, Nova/Southeastern University and Salve Regina University. He has held a number of positions with professional boards and associations, most recently as site visit team chair for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, and he has served on the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Presidents Council. Dr. Bascuas has written and co-authored numerous papers on psychological topics and has presented at symposia and conferences. He received a B.A. from LaSalle University and an M.A. and a Ph.D. from Temple University. Mr. President, I again thank Dr. Joseph W. Bascuas for his great contributions to Becker College and the Town of Leicester. I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing Dr. Joseph W. Bascuas all of the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the retirement of Gary Rooke from the Greater Springfield Credit Union. After 19 years of committed, dutiful and effective employment, I would like to acknowledge the significant contribution made to the lives of the credit union members and employees and would like to place this tribute into the official record.

Mr. NEAL

Mr. NEAL. I thank the gentleman for acknowledging me. I stand in support of this legislation. I had not intended to offer any rancor or any response to the other side, but when I have heard the rhetoric of the last couple of speakers, I must tell you, it kind of goes like this: The people that set the fire are now the ones calling the fire department. What they inherited when Bill Clinton walked out the door was a $5.7 trillion surplus. When they talk about fictitious theology, how about tax cuts paying for themselves? That is why we find ourselves where we do. Until Mr. Camp qualified the remarks of Mr. Heller, not one Republican speaker mentioned unemployment benefits. That is what this is about at this moment. There are 435 of us here, and all 435 would have done this differently, myself included. However, that is not the option as you address unemployment benefits which begin to expire next week. That is the cornerstone of this undertaking. One of my papers opined this morning that the cost of human inaction is intolerable. Thousands of working families will lose their benefits if we don't undertake this action. Job-creating incentives are in this legislation. I know. I have helped to author them and write them. The Build America Bonds campaign, any Member of this House can go back home with a sense of pride and satisfaction as they witness the implementation of the Build America Bonds initiative. This bill protects Private Activity Bonds from the onerous Alternative Minimum Tax, lowering costs for State and local governments that use the bonds for airports, school loans, and other essential needs. Take this to an advertisement in your local paper, where it says relief from Alternative Minimum Tax, and take it to the airport that is being expanded. They have utilized that opportunity. New Markets Tax Credits. I have been in the middle of it, and we protect them from AMT to promote investment in low-income neighborhoods. That is what this legislation is about today.

Mr. NEAL

Mr. NEAL. I want to thank the chairman for yielding this time. Mr. Speaker, we have had an opportunity over the course of the last many months to witness the unprecedented goodness and kindness of the American people. Time and again in rising above the petty differences that frequently keep us in dispute within this institution, we have asked no question of political party or affiliation. We have watched former Presidents of the United States who sharply might disagree on a host of issues to lead an effort to help the people of Haiti to get through this difficult time caused by the consequences of this devastating earthquake. But throughout all of these measures, you're struck by de Tocqueville's notion of what set America apart from the rest of the world. And de Tocqueville, as you know, in finding it challenging to describe what it was that differentiated America from the rest of the world, he simply described it as a ``habit of the heart.'' And today I think this institution with this proposal that's in front of us embraces again that American notion of the decency of habits of our heart. This Haiti-HELP Act provides crucial additional trade preferences to help out our Haitian friends to rebuild their economy and lives in the wake of this devastating earthquake. I want to particularly commend the trade staff and industry for quickly collaborating on this legislation, which also provides important protections for sensitive domestic products while improving existing preference provisions. It also provides a long-term extension for the Caribbean Basin and HOPE programs that are key boosters to the Caribbean-U.S. relationship. Mr. Speaker, this legislation deserves our full support, and I look forward to improving the economic and cultural ties with Haiti in the years ahead.

Mr. NEAL

Mr. NEAL. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the chairman of our committee, and I rise in support of the Small Business and Infrastructure Jobs Tax Act. As a former mayor, I am pleased that this bill contains a number of infrastructure tools to lower the costs for State and local development. Let me put to rest the argument here that there was no cooperation on this bill. Mr. Ryan, a prominent Republican on the committee, and I supported legislation that would exempt private activity bonds from AMT. And it's working. The U.S. Department of Transportation cited this provision as saving $635 million for construction projects at 38 airports around the country, including Cleveland, Milwaukee and Houston, among others. We don't check those airports to find out if they have a Republican Congressman or a Democratic Congressman. We think they are worthwhile undertakings. These construction projects have created thousands of jobs nationwide at a time that our economy really needs them. In my office, if you want to secure the information, we would be happy to provide you with the information about airport expansion which in many communities is a public and private partnership, but they have taken advantage of this initiative. These bonds are also used for student loans, and protection from AMT means lower rates on borrowers. In Massachusetts alone, 26,000 students will benefit. The bill we are debating today also includes a provision offered by, yes, my friend Mr. Tiberi and I. We want to protect the New Markets Tax Credit from the AMT, a reasonable undertaking, a reasonable provision. Since its inception, this program has generated over $15 billion of private sector investment in some of the poorest communities in this country. I will repeat. Mr. Tiberi and I sponsored this provision. Mr. Ryan and I have cosponsored provisions here. Protection from AMT means financing costs are lowered, freeing up greater investment for struggling neighborhoods. And I want to submit, Mr. Chairman, and to the Speaker as well, there is not a Republican mayor in America who would be against the provisions that are offered here.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Madam Speaker, this is a most significant day. Health insurance reform has been coming for a long time, and we are finally here. With passage of this bill, American families are going to take back control of their health care. This bill bars insurance companies from discriminating based on preexisting conditions. It caps out-of-pocket expenses. Half the bankruptcies in America are due to health-related matters. This bill allows individuals and small businesses to purchase affordable insurance from competitive marketplaces. It contains cost controls that will save the taxpayer $138 billion over the next 10 years. And for parents that are watching tonight, your dependents can stay on your insurance until they are 26 years old. Nobody has defended Social Security and Medicare the way I have in this institution. And I must tell you tonight, I can't believe anybody who is witnessing this debate would believe for 1 minute that our Republican friends have been better in history on Medicare than we have been. It is in our DNA. This is a defining moment. The exclusionary and discriminatory tactics that exist in our current system tonight become history as well.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my disappointment and dismay with AIG's decision to pay $100 million in bonuses to executives. These are not just any employees but those from the financial products division, the same group that created the flimsy derivatives that caused such a catastrophe for our economy in late 2008. With taxpayer dollars allowing to keep AIG afloat and ordinary Americans facing 10 percent unemployment, I don't know who would have thought this announcement would be well-received by the American people. It may be that these bonuses were legally obligated before the AIG crash, but I'm sure that all the brainpower that created AIG's complicated financial products can figure out a way, as the American people would, to simply say ``no.''

Mr. NEAL

Mr. NEAL. Madam Speaker, it is my great pleasure to rise today to honor Springfield College, celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, and known worldwide as the Birthplace of Basketball. Springfield College was founded in 1885 in Springfield, Massachusetts, as the School for Christian Workers, an independent institution that quickly emerged as a leading educator of YMCA professionals. Today, it offers a comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate offerings and has an international reputation for educating leaders in the health sciences, human and social services, sport management and movement studies, education, business, and the arts and sciences. Since its beginning, Springfield College has been guided by a philosophy called Humanics--education of the whole person, in spirit, mind, and body, for leadership in service to humanity. Springfield College faculty members and alumni have changed the course of history in sports, physical education, and fitness. They invented not only basketball, but also volleyball, and were instrumental in founding physical education movements in countries around the globe. They have been legendary coaches, and have been in the vanguard of advancing intercollegiate sports for women. They have made indelible marks on the modern Olympics--more than 120 Springfield Collegians have participated as coaches, athletes, trainers, sport psychologists, administrators, and more. In Greater Springfield, Massachusetts, Springfield College is deeply committed to its community, and has received national recognition for exemplary community engagement. It has been named to the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll and the Saviors of Our Cities list of the top 25 ``best neighbor'' urban colleges in the United States. It has received multiple awards from the National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators and Jostens, and has earned the Carnegie Foundation's Community Engagement Classification. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Springfield College on 125 years of excellence and leadership through service, and for being an institutional model of its Humanics philosophy.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Madam Speaker, I rise today to extend my personal congratulations to Nicholas Young who was recently named superintendent of the year by the state superintendents' association. I would like to express my gratitude for Mr. Young's hard work, dedication and leadership. Mr. Young has served with distinction as the superintendent for the Hadley Public Schools for nine years and continues to be an exemplary educational leader. Nicholas Young is a very active citizen as he serves as president of the state superintendents association and has previously served as president-elect and vice president. He is also the acting chairman of the state Task Force on Small and Rural School Districts and a member of the state Professional Development Committee and the state Legislative Committee. We join with Mr. Young's family, friends, colleges and students as he is honored next month at the National Conference on Education in Phoenix, Arizona. Nicholas Young named Mass. Superintendent of the year (By Diane Lederman) The program is part of the American Association of School Administrators National Superintendent of the year awards. In a statement, Thomas Scott, executive director of the state association, stated that Young ``is an exceptional educational leader. In addition to his many accomplishments in the Hadley Public Schools, he has been an exemplary model for his colleagues throughout the state, influencing state policy through active research and providing comprehensive and cutting-edge professional development programs.'' Young, who has been superintendent here for nine years, said he was pleased and proud to be recognized. He said it was good for the community anytime someone is recognized in town--be it he or a teacher or administrator. ``It highlights the town having a top-notch school system,'' he said. Young is president of the state superintendents association and had previously been president-elect and vice president. He is also the chairman of the state Task Force on Small and Rural School Districts and a member of the state Professional Development Committee and the state Legislative Committee. In 2008, he was one of 158 educators from across the country selected to participate in the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund Fellowship, spending more than two weeks in that country. Young and the other state winners will be honored next month at the National Conference on Education in Phoenix, Ariz. The national winner will also be announced then.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Madam Speaker, I urge adoption of the resolution and yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the debt limit legislation we are considering today, and I want to thank Mr. Rangel for his hard work on the bill in the waning days of the Congress this first session. Let me talk about what the bill does. This bill is simply about continuing operations for the Federal Government. That is the title of the legislation. ``Continuing operations'' means getting the Social Security checks out on time, an almost sacred duty that we have. This means providing support for our troops and keeping our museums and our parks open. That is what an increase in the debt limit will allow. Simply stated, this is about bills that have already been incurred. Now, I will, during my time here, resist the temptation to become overly partisan and speak specifically to the issue that is in front of us until there is a misstatement of the facts in opposition. What this bill does not do is increase or decrease spending. That is a key consideration. Those decisions have already been made through the regular order. Let me emphasize the following: This bill does not raise nor does it cut taxes. That is different legislation. I respect the opinion of all Members here--who, by the way, my hunch is have been on all sides of this issue during their time here in the Congress. But we all desire the same, and that is to bring our budget into balance with the future. Beyond that, there is broad agreement. But this bill is simply paying the check after the items have already been ordered. This bill would raise the limit by $290 billion, which is estimated to allow the government to operate through February 11 and allow us to adjourn for the year. Despite what some might say, the Treasury Department will reach the current limit on the national debt by December 31, and they have told us that there is no ability to do extraordinary measures that will, indeed, stretch that out. Now, I hope that the offering that I make to resist demagoguery on this issue will be met. If not, we certainly will have an opportunity during the course of the next hour to slug it out based upon the facts, and I hope that we will regard Social Security and veterans bills that have already been incurred to be paid. We certainly can have moments of instructions here--we're all indeed prepared for that on all sides--but I hope that the opportunity to resist the temptation to dismiss the reality of what we're doing here will be before all of us. I reserve my time.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Madam Speaker, I would like to yield to a voice of fiscal responsibility here in the House, to Mr. Boyd, the gentleman from Florida, for 2 minutes.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. I yield the gentleman an additional 1 minute.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Madam Speaker, before I come to my friend's comments, I want to yield myself such time as I might consume. Madam Speaker, I spoke with Chairman Rangel earlier, and it is our intention, as we did this month in passing the Tax Extenders Act of 2009, to make sure that those provisions hold. That bill contains a 1- year extension of dozens of important expiring provisions, including the popular R&D credit, the sales tax deduction and the college tuition deduction, among many others. We are now hearing the Senate may not take up this provision, or provisions, and pass the bill before they expire on December 31. It is our intention to insist upon the House position and to work to ensure that our bill providing a seamless extension of these tax benefits will be enacted as soon as possible in the new year. These provisions are crucial for both American business and individual taxpayers, and I am pleased that we were able to get the House to pass this bill before the year concluded, but it is disappointing that the other body will not be able to take it up this year. It is our goal, however, to ensure that this bill will provide a seamless extension when enacted based upon the House measure. Madam Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Pence because I thought that the tone of what he offered was entirely reasonable because he didn't pass out partisan blame in the instance that brings us here at this time. But a gentle reminder, I don't know how you could have voted for the war in Iraq and not vote now to pay the bill, because that's part of what we are being asked to do today. I understand how difficult this is, why it causes heartburn. But having said that, how can you say that you were willing to commit 160,000 soldiers to Iraq, and when the bill comes due, not pay it? That essentially is the argument that is in front of us today. And I understand the arguments about those American families who are having a difficult time as we proceed to this holiday season, and we want to be as helpful to them as we can. And as they gather around the kitchen table to talk about the problems they have, we understand that we want to provide as much support for them as we can. But let's not forget the Social Security recipients who are currently sitting around the table as they watch this debate, wondering if their checks are going to be mailed to them on time at the first of the year. With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Madam Speaker, at this time, I would like to yield 4 minutes to my friend, the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Tanner) who was my classmate here 21 years ago and is, in my judgment, as thoughtful as any Member of this House on the issues of the national debt.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. I yield the gentleman 2 additional minutes.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to my friend, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Andrews). (Mr. ANDREWS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)