Boehner: House Is in a 'State of Emergency,' Does Not Function

POLITICS -- September 30, 2010 at 5:04 PM EDT

Boehner: House Is in a 'State of Emergency,' Does Not Function

The man who would become Speaker of the House -- should Republicans regain control of the arm of Congress -- said Thursday the institution is in a state of emergency.

"The House finds itself in state of emergency," Boehner said. "The institution does not function, does not deliberate and seems incapable of acting on the will of the American people."

As Congress adjourned for its pre-election recess, the House minority leader chided Democrats for not acting on "a single up or down vote" on widespread tax cuts urged by the GOP, calling it a "sad but not altogether surprising finale to this Congress."

Republicans have been pushing for an extension of Bush-era tax cuts, but Democrats have been resisting efforts to extend those to Americans who make more than $250,000 a year.

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