mr. speaker , there are two major problems with this bill . 
the first is that it costs $ 70 billion and the costs are not paid for , not offset anywhere . 
it drives the deficit deeper . 
last week , this chamber voted to deal with the amt 1-year fix , $ 31 billion . 
the majority voted to pass a budget reconciliation that added another $ 56 billion in deficit . 
this adds an additional $ 70 billion in deficit . 
$ 177 billion in deeper deficits . 
you know , it is christmastime . 
people are thinking what to give their children . 
well , the majority seems intent on giving them quite a present indeed , $ 177 billion deeper deficit going on top of $ 8 trillion of debt . 
the second aspect of this bill that i want to point out is that it is deeply flawed pension policy , and it will cause the cancellation , freezing of thousands of plans affecting millions of workers . 
do not take my word for it . 
this is the estimate of the chief investment officers in an organization known as civa . 
they estimate that if this bill passes , 60 percent of the plans will freeze . 
frozen plans mean frozen benefits . 
and we do not know , the rest may freeze as well . 
they conclude : `` these proposals would have long-term consequences for current and future workers with the potential to damage the retirement security of millions of americans. '' potential to damage the retirement security of millions of americans . 
we have seen this story before . 
this is a group that worked for months to privatize social security , take away that monthly dependable income our seniors enjoy . 
well , they failed on that one . 
now they are after pensions , and without question this will dismantle pensions in the very same way they tried to dismantle social security . 
now , several groups are for this bill . 
why ? 
well , airlines are so desperate for a fix they are arguing for this bill even though it has no provisions for airlines . 
i was stunned when the chairman announced in a colloquy his lines of communication are open . 
well , mr. chairman , people have been calling . 
airlines have been calling . 
hello . 
advocates for airlines , worrying about their workers have been calling . 
hello , northwest airlines has been calling . 
hello . 
delta airlines , calling . 
hello . 
no answer . 
no answer from the majority . 
and so someone that supports an airline urged to vote for this bill when the provision is utterly left out , it makes no sense . 
you do not help airlines with this proposal . 
the democrats had an alternative that had airline relief in it . 
it was not even allowed for consideration . 
you think you are going to be treated fairly in conference committee . 
the administration opposes airline relief . 
the chairman has spoken out against airline relief . 
there is nothing in the bill for airline relief . 
they are hoping against hope that something will be done . 
they deserve so much more than that . 
i believe that this bill is deeply flawed pension policy . 
it will hurt workers . 
vote `` no . '' 