“Now just today, we actually took an important short-term step to strengthen our economy. Just before we got here, Congress did the right thing and voted to make sure that taxes would not go up on middle-class families at the end of this month. (Applause.) Congress also agreed to extend unemployment insurance for millions of Americans — maybe some of your family members — who are still out there looking for a job. So I’m going to sign this bill right away when I get back home. (Applause.)
“You guys may remember, this middle-class tax cut is something I proposed in my jobs bill back in September. And because you kept the pressure on Congress, because you reminded people what it means to have 40 bucks taken out of your paycheck every week, it got done. This is a big deal. And I want to thank members of Congress for listening to the voices of the American people. It is amazing what happens when Congress focuses on doing the right thing instead of just playing politics. This was a good example, and Congress should take pride in it. “