and we don t extend unemployment insurance it will hurt our economy. the economy won t grow as fast, and we won t see hiring improve as quickly. they will take money out of the pok pockets of americans just bh they need it. it will harm businesses that depend on the spending just at the time when the economy is trying to get some traction in this recovery. it will hurt all of us. it will be a self-inflicted wound. so my message to congress is this. keep your word to the american people, and don t raise taxes on them right now. now is not the time to slam on the brakes. now is the time to step on the gas. now is the time to keep growing the economy, to keep creating jobs, to keep giving working americans the boost that they need. now is the time to make a real difference in the lives of the people who sent us here. so let s get to work. thank you very much. you heard the president there making his case, again, why the