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WEEKLY PARTY CAUCUS LUNCHES.
THE SENATE REMAINS POISED TO
TAKE UP A TEMPORARY SPENDING
MEASURE AGREED LATE FRIDAY.
NOW TO THE FLOOR OF THE SENATE
C-SPAN2.
FOR OUR LIVE COVERAGE HERE ON
THE
SENATE WILL COME TO ORDER.
THE CHAPLAIN, DR. BARRY BLACK,
WILL LEAD THE SENATE IN PRAYER.
LET US PRAY.
O GOD OUR FATHER, BEFORE WHOM
THE LIVES OF ALL ARE EXPOSED AND
THE DESIRES OF ALL ARE KNOWN, BE
AT WORK IN OUR LIVES.
USE OUR LAWMAKERS AS INSTRUMENTS
OF YOUR PURPOSES, SO THAT YOUR
WILL MAY BE DONE ON EARTH AND
YOUR KINGDOM MAY BE ESTABLISHED.
PROMPT OUR SENATORS TO YIELD TO
THE UNFOLDING OF YOUR MIGHTY
PROVIDENCE, AS YOU REMIND THEM
THAT OUR TIMES ARE IN YOUR
HANDS.
MAY THEY REFUSE TO BOAST ABOUT
TOMORROW, DEPENDING UPON YOUR
STRENGTH AND SUFFICIENCY FOR
EACH DAY.
GREAT AND MARVELOUS ARE YOUR
WORKS, O GOD.
JUST AND TRUE ARE YOUR WAYS, O
KING OF KINGS.
WE PRAY IN YOUR GREAT NAME.
AMEN.
PLEASE
JOIN ME IN RECITING THE PLEDGE
OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO
THE FLAG OF THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
AND TO THE REPUBLIC
FOR WHICH IT STANDS,
ONE NATION UNDER GOD,
INDIVISIBLE,
WITH LIBERTY AND
JUSTICE FOR ALL.
THE
CLERK WILL READ A COMMUNICATION
TO THE SENATE.
WASHINGTON, D.C,
APRIL 12, 2011.
TO THE SENATE:
UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF RULE 1,
PARAGRAPH 3, OF THE STANDING
RULES OF THE SENATE, I HEREBY
APPOINT THE HONORABLE JEANNE
SHAHEEN, A SENATOR FROM THE
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, TO
PERFORM THE DUTIES OF THE CHAIR.
SIGNED: DANIEL K. INOUYE,
PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE.
THE
FOLLOWING LEADER
MAJORITY LEADER.
REMARKS, THE SENATE WILL BE IN A
PERIOD OF MORNING BUSINESS UNTIL
11:00 A.M. TODAY.
THE MAJORITY WILL CONTROL THE
FIRST HALF OF THAT.
THE REPUBLICANS WILL CONTROL THE
SECOND HALF.
AT 11:00 A.M., THE SENATE WILL
ROAD TO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO
DEBATE TWO PROSPECTIVE JUDGES,
JOHN KRONSTADT.
THERE WILL BE A VOTE ON THE
NOMINATION OF THE KRONSTADT
NOMINATION.
THE SENATE WILL RECESS FROM
12:30 TO 2:15 FOR THE WEEKLY KAY
CAUCUS LUNCHEONS.
I NOTE THE ABSENCE OF A QUORUM.
THE
CLERK WILL CALL THE ROLL.
QUORUM CALL:
THE
REPUBLICAN LEADER.
I ASK CONSENT
THAT FURTHER PROCEEDINGS UNDER
THE QUORUM CALL BE DISPENSED
WITHOUT
WITH.
OBJECTION.
AS THE SENATE
GETS BACK TO WORK THIS WEEK,
IT'S WORTH NOTING THAT A SEED
CHANGE HAS TAKEN PLACE IN
WASHINGTON OVER THE PAST FEW
WEEFNTLE JUST TWO MONTHS AGO THE
PRESIDENT PROPOSED A VISION OF
GOVERNMENT THAIG NOARD THE
FISCAL CRISIS VIRTUALLY EVERYONE
ELSE IN THE COUNTRY KNOWS WE
NEED TO ADDRESS.
AND DEMOCRATS IN CONGRESS
PROPOSED THAT RATHER THAN
CUTTING WASHINGTON SPENDING WE
INSTEAD RAISE TAXES ON OIL AND
GAS COMPANIES WHO, AS WE KNOW,
WOULD PASS IT ALONG TO AMERICAN
CONSUMERS IN THE FORM OF HIGHER
GAS PRICES AT A TIME WHEN GAS
PRICES ARE DOUBLE WHAT THEY WERE
A MERE TWO YEARS AGO.
IN OTHER WORDS, IT WASN'T THAT
LONG AGO THAT BOTH THE WHITE
HOUSE AND DEMOCRATIC LEADERS
HERE IN CONGRESS WERE DOING
EVERYTHING HE COULD THEY COULD
TO IGNORE THE NATION'S $14
TRILLION DEBT AND TO PRESERVE
THE MASSIVE GROWTH IN GOVERNMENT
THAT THEY PRESIDED OVER OVER THE
LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.
BUT AT SOME POINT IN THE PAST
FEE FEW WEEKS DEMOCRATS IN
MESSAGE.
WASHINGTON FINALLY GOT THE
THE GROUND SHIFTED AND SPENDING
REDUCTIONS DEMOCRATS RECENTLY
DESCRIBED AS EXTREME AND
DRACONIAN, THEY ARE NOW CALLING
HISTORIC AND COMMONSENSE.
THE DEBATE HAS TURNED FROM HOW
MUCH TO GROW GOVERNMENT TO HOW
MUCH TO REDUCE IT.
THIS IS A MAJOR DEPARTURE FROM
THE STANDARD DEMOCRATIC
POSITION, AND IT SUGGESTS ONE OF
TWO THINGS:
EITHER DEMOCRATS IN WASHINGTON
ARE FINALLY WAKING UP TO THE
FACT THAT OUR ONLY HOPE OF
AVERTING THE KIND OF DISASTER
WE'RE SEEING UNFOLD IN EUROPE IS
BY FORCING WASHINGTON TO LIVE
WITHIN ITS MEANS OR THEY'VE MADE
A POLITICAL CALCULATION THAT
AMERICANS WILL NO LONGER TAKE
THEM SERIOUSLY IF THEY CONTINUE
TO PRETEND OTHERWISE.
BUT EITHER WAY, THEY ARE THERE
NOW APPEARS TO BE A BIPARTISAN
AGREEMENT IN WASHINGTON THAT
SOMETHING SERIOUS MUST BE DONE.
WHICH BRINGS US TO AN
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE OBAMA
ADMINISTRATION'S TOP POLITICAL
ADVISOR OVER THE WEEKEND THAT
THE PRESIDENT WILL CHANGE HIS
POSITION ON ENTITLEMENT REFORM,
THE DEFICIT, AND DEBT IN A
SPEECH HE'LL DELIVER TOMORROW
AFTERNOON.
ACCORDING TO ADMINISTRATION
OFFICIALS, THE PRESIDENT WILL
NOW PROPOSE AN OUTLINE OF HIS
GOALS IN THESE AREAS.
APPARENTLY THE PRESIDENT IS
FINALLY READY TO ACKNOWLEDGE
PROBLEMS THAT THE REST OF THE
COUNTRY HAS BEEN WAITING FOR HIM
TO ADDRESS.
IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT HE HAD TO
BE DRAGGED INTO THIS DISCUSSION,
BUT THOSE ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT
WHO HAVE BEEN CLAMORING FOR
PRESIDENTIAL LEADERSHIP ON THESE
ISSUES HAVE TO WELCOME THE
PRESIDENT'S LONG-AWAITED
DECISION TO ENGAGE ON THEM.
AND AS WE LOOK FORWARD TO
HEARING WHAT THE PRESIDENT HAS
TO SAY, BUT IT IS MY HOPE THAT
IN DOING SO HE OFFERS MORE THAN
THE OUTLINE HIS POLITICAL
ADVISOR SUGGESTED.
AS WE KNOW, 0 HOUSE REPUBLICANS
HAVE PUT FORWARD A DETAILED PLAN
THAT SEEKS TO PRESERVE AND
PROTECT MEDICARE FOR CURRENT
BENEFICIARIES AND STRENGTHEN
MEDICAID, IN PART BY GIVING
STATES MORE FLEXIBILITY TO
IMPLEMENT IT.
AT A TIME WHEN THOUSANDS OF BABY
BOOM REMEMBERS RETIRING EVERY
SINGLE DAY, PUTTING EVEN MORE
PRESSURE ON OUR
ALREADY-OVERBURDENED FINANCES,
CREATIVE SOLUTIONS LIKE THESE
ARE VERY MUCH NEEDED.
SO HOPEFULLY THE PRESIDENT WILL
PUT FORWARD A PLAN THAT DOESN'T
JUST PAY LIP SERVICE TO THE
COMMITMENTS WE'VE MADE TO
SENIORS AND THE POOR BUT WHICH
ACKNOWLEDGES THE UNIQUE PRONES
PROBLEMS THAT THIS -- PROBLEMS
THAT THIS GENERATION FACES.
TOO OFTEN IT SEEMS DEMOCRATS
CLAIM TO BE INTERESTED IN
HELPING THOSE IN NEED WHEN WHAT
THEY REALLY SEEK IS TO PROTECT
BIG GOVERNMENT.
REPUBLICANS SEE AMERICA GROWING
ITS WAY TO PROSPERITY.
DEMOCRATS SEEM TO WANT TO
CONSTRICT OPPORTUNITIES FOR
EVERYONE SO EVERYONE IS FORCED
TO DO WITH LESS, EXCEPT OF
COURSE THE POLITICALLY CONNECTED
AND THOSE WHO ARE LUCKY ENOUGH
TO GET A WAIVER.
BUT AT LEAST THE PRESIDENT IS
JOINING IN THE CONVERSATION.
HOPEFULLY THAT CONVERSATION IS
AN ADULT ONE AND DOESN'T DEVOLVE
INTO THE KIND OF UNHELPFUL,
SCRIPTED AND FRANKLY JUVENILE
NAME-CALLING WE SAW IN THE
DEBATE OVER THE CONTINUING
RESOLUTION LAST WEEK.
WE ALL KNOW THAT BOTH SIDES WILL
HAVE TO PLAY A PART IN
ADDRESSING THE CRISIS WE FACE,
SO WE DO WELL TO LEAVE ALL
DISHONEST RHETORIC ASIDE.
BOTH SIDES WANT TO PRESERVE
WHAT'S BEST ABOUT AMERICA.
IF BOTH SIDES ACKNOWLEDGE THAT
UP FRONT, AS WE MOVE FROM A
CONVERSATION ABOUT BILLIONS TO A
CONVERSATION ABOUT TRILLIONS,
OF US.
WE'LL HAVE MUCH PROGRESS AHEAD
MADAM PRESIDENT, I YIELD THE
FLOOR.
UNDER
THE PREVIOUS ORDER, THE
LEADERSHIP TIME IS RESERVED.
UNDER THE PREVIOUS ORDER, THE
SENATE WILL BE IN A PERIOD OF
MORNING BUSINESS UNTIL
11:00 A.M. WITH SENATORS
PERMITTED TO SPEAK THEREIN FOR
UP TO 10:00 MINUTES EACH, WITH
CONTROLLED BETWEEN THE TWO
THE TIME EQUALLY DIVIDED AND
LEADERS OR HER DESIGNEES, WITH
THE MAJORITY CONTROLLING THE
FIRST HALF AND THE REPUBLICANS
CONTROLLING THE FINAL HALF.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS
THAT -- ARE WE IN A QUORUM CALL?
OFFICER WE ARE NOTED.
WE ARE
NOT.
MR.
A BILL TO PROVIDE
AN EXTENSION OF TIME FOR
PROVIDING INDIVIDUAL TAX RETURNS
IN THE CASE OF A FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.
I WOULD OBJECT TO
ANY FURTHER PROCEEDINGS WITH
RESPECT TO THIS BILL.
WITHOUT
OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.
THE BILL WILL BE PLACED ON THE
CALENDAR.
IT IS MY
UNDERSTANDING THAT THE TIME FOR
MORNING BUSINESS SENATORS ARE
MINUTES EACH.
PERMITTED TO SPEAK FOR UP TO 10
IS THAT RIGHT?
CORRECT.
MADAM PRESIDENT, I'M
ALWAYS MOVED TO HEAR THE PLEDGE
OF ALLEGIANCE THAT MARKS THE
BEGINNING AFTER NEW LEGISLATIVE
DAY IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE.
ON THE 105th ANNIVERSARY OF
THE BEGINNING OF THE CIVIL WAR,
THE WORDS "ONE NARKS
INDIVISIBLE" MEAN MORE TODAY
THAN MOST OTHER DAYS.
ALONG WITH CHAPLAIN BLACK'S
INSPIRING INVOCATION, THE PLEDGE
REMINDS US OF THE TRUE PURPOSE
OF OUR WORK.
WE RECALL OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO
OUR COUNTRY, OUR COUNTRYMEN AND
TO OUR CONSCIENCE.
I'M PARTICULARLY PLEASED TO SEAT
SENATE OPEN THIS MORNING.
AS WE ALL KNOW, LA WEEK AT THIS
TIME, EVEN AS RECENTLY AS JUST A
FEW EVENINGS AGO, WHETHER THE
GOVERNMENT WOULD STAY OPEN WAS A
VERY REAL QUESTION.
AS I SAID HERE LATE ON FRIDAY
NIGHT, I AM A PLEASED WE REACHED
AN AGREEMENT ON A BUDGET IN TIME
TO KEEP THE GOVERNMENT
OPERATING.
I AM PLEASED THAT THE BUDGET
WILL MAKE HISTORIC CUTS SAVING
THE COUNTRY MONEY SO WE CAN
LOWER OUR DEFICIT AND DO A
BETTER JOB OF LIVING WITHIN OUR
MEANS.
THROUGHOUT THE LAST FEW WEEKS, I
REMINDED THE SENATE THIS
NEGOTIATION, LIKE ANY
NEGOTIATION, NEITHER SIDE WOULD
GET EVERYTHING THEY WANTED.
FROM THE START I ALSO EXPRESSED
MY FIRM BELIEF THAT WHAT WE CUT
WILL ALWAYS BE MORE IMPORTANT
THAN HOW MUCH WE CUT.
THAT'S BECAUSE OUR NATION'S
BUDGET IS A REPRESENTATION OF
OUR VALUES AND WHAT WE VALUE.
IT'S ONE OF THE MANY WAYS WE
DEMONSTRATE AS A CONGRESS AND AS
A COUNTRY WHAT MATTERS MOST TO
US, WHAT IS IMPORTANT.
DEMOCRATS.
THIS CONCEPT IS NOT UNIQUE TO
AS THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE AND
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE BUDGET
COMMITTEE HAVE BOTH SAID, OUR
BUDGET IS A MORAL DOCUMENT.
THOSE FOLLOWING THE BUDGET
DEBATE HAVE NOTICED SOMETHING.
WHILE BOTH PARTIES MAY AGREE IN
PRINCIPLE THAT A BUDGET IS MORE
THAN SIMPLY A COLLECTION OF
NUMBERS, OUR POSITIONS COULDN'T
BE MORE DIFFERENT.
WE STAYED TR
-- WE STAYED TRUE TO OUR VALUES.
WE VALUE AMERICANS' RIGHT TO
AFFORD A HEALTHY LIFE.
THE REPUBLICANS TRIED TO USE THE
BUDGET TO REPEAL RIGHTS.
WE STAYED TRUE TO OUR VALUES AND
DIDN'T LET THEM.
WE VALUE WOMEN'S HEALTH, BUT
REPUBLICANS TRIED TO USE THE
BUDGET TO MAKE IT HARDER FOR
WOMEN TO GET CONTRACEPTION THAT
REDUCES ABORTIONS.
THEIR BUDGET TRIED TO MAKE IT
HARDER FOR WOMEN TO GET CANCER
SCREENINGS AND TRIED TO SLASH
FUNDING FOR CANCER RESEARCH.
WE STAYED TRUE TO OUR VALUES AND
WE DIDN'T LET THEM.
WE ALSO VALUE OUR SENIORS'
ABILITY TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES
BUT REPUBLICANS TRIED TO USE THE
BUDGET TO SLICE THE SOCIAL
SECURITY ADMINISTRATION.
THAT WOULD HAVE MEANT DELAYS FOR
BENEFITS.
SENIORS WHO COUNT ON THE
THEY ALSO TRIED TO USE THE
BUDGET TO REOPEN THE DOUGHNUT.
WE STAYED TRUE TO OUR VALUES.
WE DIDN'T LET THEM.
EDUCATION.
WE VALUE OUR CHILDREN'S
BUT REPUBLICANS TRIED TO USE THE
BUDGET TO KICK LITTLE BOYS AND
GIRLS OUT OF PREKINDERGARTEN
PROGRAMS AND SLICE PELL GRANTS
THAT HELP SO MANY STUDENTS
AFFORD COLLEGE.
WE STAYED TRUE TO OUR VALUES,
AND WE DIDN'T LET THEM.
ENVIRONMENT, BUT REPUBLICANS
MADAM PRESIDENT, WE VALUE OUR
TRIED TO USE THE BUDGET TO GIVE
POLLUTERS A FREE PASS TO POISON
THE AIR WE BREATHE.
WE STAYED TRUE TO OUR VALUES,
AND WE DIDN'T LET THEM.
WE VALUE OUR ECONOMIC SECURITY,
BUT REPUBLICANS TRIED TO REPEAL
THE PROMISE WE MADE TO TAXPAYERS
THAT THEY WILL NEVER AGAIN BE
ASKED TO BAIL OUT A BIG BANK.
THEY TRIED TO USE THE BUDGET TO
REVERSE THOSE RULES AND PUT IN
PLACE -- WHICH WE PUT IN PLACE
TO HOLD WALL STREET ACCOUNTABLE.
WE STAYED TRUE TO OUR VALUES AND
WE DIDN'T LET THEM.
FINALLY, MADAM PRESIDENT, WE
VALUE OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO
CREATE JOBS, BUT REPUBLICANS
ALSO TRIED TO USE THE BUDGET TO
REVERSE THE MOMENTUM WE'VE SEEN
IN RECENT MONTHS.
POLICIES THEY TRIED TO JAM
THROUGH THE BUDGET WOULD HAVE
COST US 700,000 JOBS AND SLAMMED
THE BRAKES ON ECONOMIC GROWTH.
WE STAYED TRUE TO OUR VALUES AND
WE DIDN'T LET THEM.
THERE ARE MANY MORE EXAMPLES IN
THIS VAST BUDGET, EXAMPLES OF
PROGRAMS REPUBLICANS WANTED TO
DESTROY BUT DEMOCRATS DEMANDED
WE PROTECT.
THERE ARE MANY EXAMPLES WHERE
THEY WANTED TO CUT RECKLESSLY
AND WE INSISTED ON CUTTING
RESPONSIBLY.
THROUGHOUT THIS DEBATE WE STAYED
TRUE TO OUR VALUES.
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE NOTICED AND
THEY'RE GLAD WE DID.
BY CLEAR MAJORITIES OUR
CONSTITUENTS ARE GLAD WE STOOD
UP FOR H.R., WOMEN'S -- UP FOR
HEALTH REFORM, WOMEN'S HEALTH
AND CLEANER AIR AND ON AND ON.
THIS BUDGET BATTLE ILLUSTRATED
TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THE
FUNDAMENTAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN
THE TWO PARTIES.
IN SOME CASES OUR PRIORITIES ARE
POLES APART.
THAT IS OBVIOUS TO THE AMERICAN
PEOPLE, AS WELL AS IT SHOULD BE.
THEY ARE THE ONES WHO ALWAYS
DECIDE WHETHER THEIR
REPRESENTATIVES MORALS MORE
CLOSELY MATCH THEIR OWN.
AS WE WORK TOWARD FINALIZING
THIS YEAR'S BUDGET, START THE
CONVERSATION ABOUT NEXT YEAR'S
BUDGET AND ENGAGE IN OTHER
ISSUES BEFORE US, DEMOCRATS WILL
CONTINUE TO REFLECT AND RESPECT
OUR VALUES.
I WOULD ASK MY TIME BE USED IN
BUSINESS.
LEADER TIME AND NOT IN MORNING
WITHOUT
OBJECTION.
MADAM PRESIDENT?
THE
SENATOR FROM OREGON.
MADAM PRESIDENT, IN
ONE CRUEL SWOOP LATE LAST WEEK
MORE THAN 300,000 AMERICANS LOST
THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUY
AFFORDABLE HEALTH INSURANCE FOR
YEARS TO COME.
SPECIFICALLY, MADAM PRESIDENT,
I'M TALKING ABOUT THE REMOVAL
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS BY THE
BUDGET NEGOTIATORS OF THE FREE
CHOICE VOUCHER PROVISION THAT
WOULD HAVE BEEN A LIFELINE TO
HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF
LOW-INCOME AMERICANS.
NOW ONE COULD SAY, SENATOR
WYDEN, EVERYBODY'S GOT TO GIVE A
LITTLE DURING TOUGH TIMES.
WHY IS THIS DIFFERENT?
THE DIFFERENCE HERE IS THAT
HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF
AMERICANS WITHOUT HEALTH CARE
OPTIONS, IN A PROCESS THAT
DOESN'T EVEN HAVE ANY DIRECT
COST TO THE FEDERAL BUDGET, ARE
BEING ASKED TO GIVE UP A
GUARANTEE OF COVERAGE JUST A
YEAR AFTER THE PASSAGE OF THE
AFFORDABLE CARE ACT.
THEY'RE GOING TO BE FORCEED TO
MAKE A HOBSON'S CHOICE BETWEEN
UNAFFORDABLE INSURANCE AND GOING
WITHOUT HEALTH CARE DIRECTLY
CONTRADICTING THE THEORETICAL
UNDERPINNINGS OF THE AFFORDABLE
CARE ACT.
UNDER THA ES THAT PROVISION --
UNDER THAT PROVISION THOSE WHOSE
INCOME FALLS BELOW 400% OF THE
POVERTY LINE AND WHOSE EMPLOYER
SPONSORED HEALTH CARE PREMIUMS
ARE UNDER 8% AND 12% WOULD BE
EXEMPT FROM HAVING TO PURCHASE
HEALTH COVERAGE.
UNFORTUNATELY NOW THEY'RE NOT
GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET INTO THE
EXCHANGES, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO
QUALIFY FOR GOVERNMENT
ASSISTANCE TO BUY INSURANCE.
THE PROVISIONS LEAVE HUNDREDS OF
THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS WHO NEED
HEALTH CARE AS A LIFELINE OUT IN
THE COLD.
WITH FREE CHOICE, HOWEVER, FOLKS
WHO FELL INTO THIS HOLE AND
COULDN'T AFFORD THE PLAN WERE
OFFERED AT WORK COVERAGE THAT
PREVIOUSLY THEY COULD HAVE USED
THEIR EMPLOYER'S CONTRIBUTION.
AND NOW BECAUSE THAT WOULDN'T BE
SUFFICIENT WITH AFFORDABLE, THE
PROVISION IN THE FREE CHOICE
VOUCHERS, THEY COULD HAVE GOTTEN
A VOUCHER TO USING A MORE
AFFORDABLE APPROPRIATE PLAN IN
EXCHANGE.
THE AMOUNT OF THE VOUCHER WOULD
BE SET AT THE SAME PERCENTAGE
THAT EMPLOYERS PAY TODAY, 70% OF
THE COST OF A TYPICAL PLAN.
THE AMOUNT WOULD BE A FIXED
NUMBER WHICH WOULD GIVE
EMPLOYERS CERTAINTY IN THE COST
OF DOING BUSINESS.
FOR THESE FAMILIES, IT COULD
MEAN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
BEING ABLE TO BUY A HEALTH PLAN
THEY COULD AFFORD OR GOING
WITHOUT COVERAGE.
IF THEY FOUND A PLAN IN THE
EXCHANGE CHEAPER THAN THE
VOUCHER AMOUNT BUT GIVES THEM
EVERYTHING THEY NEED, THEY COULD
HAVE POCKETED THE DIFFERENCE IN
THE COST.
SO YOU HAVE AN INCENTIVE FOR
PEOPLE TO SHOP FOR LOWER-COST
COVERAGE AND HELP EVERYBODY HOLD
DOWN HEALTH CARE COSTS.
THIS KIND OF CONCEPT IS NOT JUST
GOOD FOR THE EMPLOYEE, BUT IT'S
GOOD FOR OUR BUSINESSES,
PARTICULARLY THE SMALL
BUSINESSES WHO SO STRONGLY BACK
THIS PROVISION.
WHEN THE IMPACT OF FREE CHOICE
WAS PROPOSED DURING THE HEALTH
REFORM DEBATE, THE CONGRESSIONAL
BUDGET OFFICE AND THE JOINT
COMMITTEE ON TAXATION ESTIMATED
THAT MORE THAN 300,000 FAMILIES
COULD BENEFIT FROM THIS NEW
APPROACH TO CHOICE AND
COMPETITION.
THAT WAS THEN.
AND, MADAM PRESIDENT, SINCE
PASSAGE OF THE HEALTH CARE
REFORM LAW, THE NEED FOR FREE
CHOICE VOUCHERS IS GREATER THAN
EVER.
THE KAISER FAMILY FOUNDATION, IN
THEIR RECENT ANALYSIS, FOUND
THAT EMPLOYERS, EVEN SINCE THE
LAW, ARE SHIFTING MORE OF THE
HEALTH CARE COSTS ON TO THE
BACKS OF THE WORKERS.
THE KAISER FAMILY FOUNDATION
RECENTLY REPORTED THAT THE
TYPICAL INCREASE FOR PREMIUMS OF
WORKERS WENT UP 14% AND THE
EMPLOYER WAS PAYING VIRTUALLY
NONE OF THAT.
THE WORKER WAS EATING ALMOST ALL
OF IT BECAUSE COSTS WERE BEING
SHIFTED FROM EMPLOYERS ON TO THE
BACKS OF THE WORKERS.
SO IF ANYTHING, EVEN MORE PEOPLE
WOULD LIKELY HAVE NEEDED
FREE-CHOICE VOUCHERS AND BEEN
ELIGIBLE TO USE THEM THAN WAS
ORIGINALLY ENVISIONED WHEN WE
PASSED THE LAW.
NOW, I'M OF THE VIEW IT'S NOT
THAT BUSINESSES DON'T WANT TO
PROVIDE AFFORDABLE BENEFITS TO
THEIR WORKERS.
IT'S JUST MAKING LESS AND LESS
SENSE TO DO SO THE WAY THE
CURRENT SYSTEM OPERATES.
INCENTIVES WON'T CHANGE IN 2014
AND IT'S GOING TO LEAVE AN
INCREASING NUMBER OF FAMILIES
WITH A CHOICE BETWEEN THE
UNAFFORDABLE AND THE
UNAVAILABLE.
BUT UP UNTIL LATE LAST WEEK IN
THE DARK OF NIGHT, THE FAMILIES
HAD A CHOICE, MADAM PRESIDENT.
THEY HAD A CHOICE, A THIRD
PATH -- THE TWO THAT I
MENTIONED, UNAFFORDABLE AND
UNAVAILABLE WERE NOT APPEALING
AND FREE-CHOICE VOUCHERS WOULD
HAVE CREATED A THIRD OPTION THAT
FAMILIES.
WOULD HAVE WORKED FOR THOSE
THEY WOULD HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO
TAKE THEIR PRETAX DOLLARS
PROVIDED BY THEIR EMPLOYER TO
THE FREE MARKET AND EXCHANGE AND
DECIDE FOR THEMSELVES WHICH
PLANS THEY COULD AFFORD THAT
PROVIDE THE BENEFITS THEY NEED.
FREE CHOICE IS GOOD FOR WORKERS.
IT'S GOOD FOR BUSINESS.
BOTTOM LINE.
IT'S GOOD FOR OUR COUNTRY'S
IT OFFERS A WAY TO REIN IN
HIGHER HEALTH CARE COSTS BY
PUTTING PURCHASING POWER BACK
INTO THE HANDS OF THE CONSUMER.
AND ONCE PEOPLE KNOW WHAT
THEY'RE PAYING FOR THEIR HEALTH
COVERAGE AND CAN SHOP FOR A PLAN
THAT ANSWERS THEIR SPECIFIC
NEEDS, COSTS ARE GOING TO COME
DOWN.
LET ME CLOSE, MADAM PRESIDENT,
BY SAYING THAT WE HEAR OFTEN,
COLLEAGUES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE
AISLE TALK ABOUT CHOICE AND
COMPETITION AND MARKET FORCES.
WHAT THIS DID WAS PROVIDE A
CHANCE FOR BOTH SIDES TO TAKE
PRINCIPLES THEY HOLD DEAR,
EXPANDING COVERAGE FOR WORKERS
WHO ARE HURTING WITH A
MARKETPLACE APPROACH AND SAY
FREE-CHOICE VOUCHERS DID WHAT
THEY WERE INTERESTED IN.
THE ARGUMENTS AGAINST FREE
CHOICE DIDN'T START WITH
DEMOCRATS OR REPUBLICANS.
THE ARGUMENT STARTD WITH THE
INTEREST -- STARTED WITH THE
INTEREST GROUPS, THE LOBBIES,
THE SPECIAL INTERESTS THAT HAVE
A VESTED STAKE IN HOLDING THEIR
EMPLOYEES CAPTIVE AND LOCKING
THEM IN TO THIS INCREDIBLY
INEFFICIENT STATUS QUO.
MADAM PRESIDENT, THIS PROVISION
FISCAL YEAR.
HAS NO BUDGET IMPACT IN THE
I SAY TO COLLEAGUES, 300,000
AMERICANS, LOW-INCOME AMERICANS
ARE BEING HURT IN THIS BUDGET
BILL FOR SOMETHING THAT SPENDS
NO MONEY IN THE UPCOMING YEAR.
300,000 AMERICANS WITH NO
ACCEPTABLE ALTERNATIVE TO MAKE
SURE THAT WHEN THEY GO TO BED AT
NIGHT WITH THEIR FAMILIES, THEY
CAN TAKE CARE OF AN ILLNESS OR A
MEDICAL EXPENSE THAT COMES UP IN
THE MORNING.
I DON'T THINK THIS HAD TO BE.
CLEARLY, IF WE HAD THE
OPPORTUNITY IN OPEN FORUM TO
ADDRESS THIS, THERE WOULD HAVE
BEEN A DIFFERENT RESULT, BECAUSE
THAT'S HOW IT GOT INTO THE LAW
IN THE FIRST PLACE.
MADAM PRESIDENT, I JUST WANT TO
TAKE THE FLOOR TO MAKE SURE THAT
COLLEAGUES KNEW THAT WE'RE GOING
TO HAVE TO BE BACK HERE TO GET
SOME RELIEF TO THE 300,000
AMERICANS THAT WE PUT OUT IN THE
COLD AS A RESULT OF THAT
PARTICULAR PROVISION, AND I HOPE
ONCE AGAIN WE CAN DO IT IN A
FASHION THAT BRINGS DEMOCRATS
AND REPUBLICANS TOGETHER THE WAY
FREE-CHOICE VOUCHERS AND THE
PRINCIPLES IT REPRESENTS DID IN
THE FIRST PLACE.
FLOOR.
MADAM PRESIDENT, I YIELD THE
A SENATOR: MADAM PRESIDENT?
THE
SENATOR FROM MINNESOTA.
I FIRST WANT TO
ACKNOWLEDGE MY COLLEAGUE FROM
OREGON FOR HIS GREAT LEADERSHIP
IN THIS AREA, AND I KNOW WE ALL
LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH
YOU.
YOU HAVE TAKEN SUCH A LEAD ON
THESE IMPORTANT MATTERS.
THIS HAS BEEN A DIFFICULT TIME
FOR ALL OF US WITH SOME OF THE
CHANGES THAT ARE BEING MADE.
I RISE TODAY, MADAM PRESIDENT,
TO SPEAK ABOUT THE DAUNTING
FISCAL CHALLENGES OUR COUNTRY
FACES AND THE URGENT NEED FOR
COMPREHENSIVE BIPARTISAN ACTION
BURDEN.
TO ADDRESS OUR CRUSHING DEBT
I HAVE LONG BELIEVED, AS I KNOW
YOU HAVE, THAT WE NEED TO GET
SERIOUS ABOUT THE DEFICIT.
SINCE I CAME TO THE SENATE, I
HAVE WORKED TO REFORM THE WAY
CONGRESS CONDUCTS OUR OWN
BUSINESS, REDUCING THE BUDGET OF
CONGRESS, FIGHTING FOR
APPROPRIATIONS PROJECT REFORM,
AND WORKING TO RESTORE
PAY-AS-YOU-GO RULES IN OUR
BUDGET PROCESS TO ENSURE THAT
WE'RE ONLY FUNDING NEW PROGRAMS,
IF OUTDATED OR DUPLICATIVE
PROGRAMS ARE CUT.
I WAS ONE OF A HANDFUL OF
SENATORS THAT FOUGHT FOR THE
CREATION OF THE FISCAL
COMMISSION, AND I HAVE SUPPORTED
EFFORTS BY BOTH REPUBLICANS AND
DEMOCRATS TO RESPONSIBLY REDUCE
THE DEFICIT.
WE WOULDN'T HAVE EVEN HAD THE
COMMISSION THAT WORKED ALL THIS
PAST YEAR AND CAME UP WITH THE
REPORT THAT I THINK MANY PEOPLE
THOUGHT WOULD JUST COLLECT DUST
ON A SHELF.
BUT THAT HASN'T BEEN THE CASE,
AND THAT'S BECAUSE A NUMBER OF
KNOW WHAT?
SENATORS LAST YEAR SAID, YOU
WE'RE NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANY
MORE.
OUR COUNTRY CAN'T TAKE THIS ANY
MORE.
WE'RE GOING TO STAND UP AND MAKE
SURE THAT THIS DEFICIT
COMMISSION GETS STARTED.
WE ARE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT
WE GET STRONG PEOPLE ON THE
COMMISSION, WHICH WAS ACHIEVED,
AND THAT THEY PRODUCE SOMETHING
THAT'S MEANINGFUL.
AND RIGHT NOW AS WE SPEAK, AS
YOU KNOW, MADAM PRESIDENT, A
NUMBER OF OUR COLLEAGUES, A
SMALL GROUP OF SIX ARE WORKING
ON THE RESULTS FROM THAT
COMMISSION REPORT, AND WE'RE
VERY HOPEFUL THEY'LL COME
TOGETHER IN A BIPARTISAN
AGREEMENT.
LAST YEAR, MADAM PRESIDENT, I
SUPPORTED THE EFFORTS OF MY
COLLEAGUES, SENATOR SESSIONS AND
SENATOR McCASKILL, TO ENACT
DISCRETIONARY SPENDING CAPS.
WHILE THIS PROPOSAL BY ITSELF
COULD NOT BALANCE THE BUDGET,
RESTRAINING DISCRETIONARY
SPENDING GROWTH IS AN IMPORTANT
PIECE OF THE PUZZLE.
I VOTED WITH SENATOR COBURN TO
CUT HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF
DOLLARS IN FEDERAL SPENDING BY
CONSOLIDATING DUPLICATIVE
PROGRAMS AND SPORTED SENATOR
BENNET'S -- AND SUPPORTED
STPHO R PW EP TKP-RBS SENATOR
PW EPB TPHOFS EFFORT TO PAY DOWN
THE DEFICIT.
I SUPPORTED $12 BILLION IN CUTS
AND PUSHED FOR MANY MORE.
THESE ARE ALL IMPORTANT STEPS,
BUT WHAT OUR COUNTRY NEEDS NOW
IS FOR CONGRESS TO REACH ACROSS
THE AISLE AND BUILD CONSENSUS
AROUND A COMPREHENSIVE LONG-TERM
DEFICIT-REDUCTION PACKAGE THAT
PROSPERITY.
WILL PUT US ON TRACK TO
EVER SINCE THE ECONOMIC
DOWNTURN, FAMILIES ACROSS THE
COUNTRY HAVE HUDDLED AROUND THE
KITCHEN TABLE MAKING TOUGH
CHOICES ABOUT WHAT THEY HOLD
MOST DOOR AND WHAT THEY CAN --
HOLD MOST DEAR AND WHAT THEY CAN
LIVE WITHOUT.
THEY EXPECT AND DESERVE THEIR
LEADERS DO THE SAME.
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE COUNTING
ON US TO PUT POLITICS ASIDE, TO
PULL TOGETHER AND NOT PULL
APART, TO NOT GO TO THE OPPOSITE
CORNERS OF THE BOXING RING AND
THROW DARTS AT EACH OTHER.
THEY EXPECT US TO AGREE ON A
PLAN, TO LIVE WITHIN OUR MEANS,
AND THAT WILL MAKE AMERICA
STRONG FOR THE LONG HAUL.
IF WE ARE GOING TO SUCCEED IN
THIS CHALLENGE, MADAM PRESIDENT,
WE WILL ULTIMATELY HAVE TO
ACCEPT THINGS THAT WE DON'T
NECESSARILY AGREE WITH IN AN
EFFORT TO DEVELOP A PLAN THAT IS
BOTH BALANCED AND COMPREHENSIVE.
WE ALREADY KNOW MANY OF THE
DONE.
THINGS THAT WILL NEED TO BE
OUR FAILURE TO ACT HAS NOT BEEN
BECAUSE WE LACK SOLUTIONS BUT
BECAUSE CONGRESS HAS LACKED THE
POLITICAL WILL TO GET BEHIND
PROPOSALS THAT ON THEIR OWN
SOMETIMES ARE NOT ALWAYS THAT
POPULAR.
I SUPPORT THE WORK BEING DONE BY
MY COLLEAGUES WARNER, CHAMBLISS,
CONRAD AND LOOK FORWARD TO
WORKING WITH THEM TO PUT FORWARD
A COMPREHENSIVE DEFICIT
PROPOSAL.
AND TOMORROW THE PRESIDENT WILL
BE LAYING OUT HIS
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A
COMPREHENSIVE DEFICIT-REDUCTION
PACKAGE.
MUCH OF THE RECENT DEBATE OVER
DEFICIT REDUCTION HAS BEEN
DOMINATED BY TALK OF HOW BEST TO
CUT PROGRAMS AND MILLIONS OF
AMERICAN SENIORS AND THE MOST
VULNERABLE, THOSE KINDS OF
DAY.
PROGRAMS THAT THEY RELY ON EVERY
WHILE I BELIEVE THAT ENTITLEMENT
REFORMS MUST BE A PART OF THE
COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION, I
BELIEVE THAT THERE ALSO ARE
SEVERAL OTHER KEY STREPS THAT WE
CAN TAKE TO -- STEPS THAT WE CAN
TAKE TO ADDRESS OUR DEFICIT IN A
MEANINGFUL.
AS YOU KNOW, MADAM PRESIDENT, WE
STARTED DOWN THE ROAD WITH
ENTITLEMENT REFORM WITH SOME OF
THE EFFICIENCY MEASURES THAT WE
PUT IN FOR MEDICARE.
THOSE CAN BE EXPANDED.
I KNOW MY STATE HAS ALWAYS
DELIVERED HIGH-QUALITY, LOW-COST
HEALTH CARE AND WE NEED TO DO
THAT IN MORE OF THE COUNTRY WHEN
IT COMES TO MEDICARE.
WITH SOCIAL SECURITY THERE'S
SOME EXCELLENT IDEAS TO
STRENGTHEN SOCIAL SECURITY, TO
MAKE IT MORE SOLVENT.
I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT
THOSE, BUT WE HAVE TO MAKE VERY
CLEAR THAT WE WILL NOT BE
BALANCING THIS BUDGET ON THE
BACK OF SENIORS.
TBHAW ANY MEASURES WE TAKE TO
REFORM SKS, THOSE SAVINGS WILL
GO -- TO REFORM SOCIAL SECURITY,
THOSE SAVINGS WILL GO DIRECTLY
INTO SOCIAL SECURITY, NOT BE
USED TO REDUCE THE DEBT BUT GO
INTO SOCIAL SECURITY TO MAKE
SOCIAL SECURITY STRONGER IN THE
LONG TERM.
I THINK THE REST OF THE WORLD
WHEN THEY LOOK AT THESE IDEAS
THEY'LL SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT?
AMERICA IS GETTING ITS ACT
FOUGHT.
IT IS NOT STEALING FROM OTHER
PARTS OF THE BUDGET.
IT'S ACTUALLY MAKING SOCIAL
SECURITY STRONGER BY FINDING A
WAY TO MAKE IT LAST LONGER AND
BE THERE FOR OUR SENIORS TODAY
AS WE WILL WELL AS SENIORS FOR
THE FUTURE.
I WANT TO TALK ABOUT A FEW OF
THE STEPS THAT I THINK WE COULD
TAKE AND I HOPE WILL BE INCLUDED
IN THE PRESIDENT'S SUGGESTIONS
AND IN THE DEFICIT COMMISSION
REPORT.
FIRST WE NEED TO GET SERIOUS
ABOUT MAKING OUR GOVERNMENT WORK
MORE EFFICIENTLY BY REDUCING
PROGRAMS THAT HAVE BECOME
DUPLICATIVE OR OUTDATED.
LAST MONTH THE GOVERNMENT
ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE RELEASED A
REPORT THAT IDENTIFIED 82
DIFFERENT PROGRAMS WITH
AGENCIES.
DESCRIPTIONS IN TEN DIFFERENT
47 FOR TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT,
56 TO HELP PEOPLE UNDERSTAND
FINANCES.
THE RECOMMENDATIONS LAID OUT IN
THIS REPORT COULD SAVE HUNDREDS
OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS, NOT BY
MAKING DRACONIAN CUTS, NOT BY
TAKING DRASTIC MEASURES BUT
SIMPLY BY ELIMINATING WASTE.
THERE ARE PLENTY OF OTHER
EXAMPLES OF SAVINGS WE COULD
FIND RIGHT HERE IN WASHINGTON
WITH CONGRESS AND WITH OUR
FEDERAL AGENCIES.
TO BEGIN, WE COULD ELIMINATE
BILLIONS OF DPLARS WASTE IN
FEDERAL CONTRACT -- DOLLARS IN
WASTE IN FEDERAL CONTRACTS BY
ENDING THE PRACTICE OF GIVES
BONUSES TO GOVERNMENT CLOARTS
OVERCHARGE AND UNDERPERFORM.
BY REQUIRING FEDERAL AGENCIES TO
SET STRONG STANDARDS FOR
AWARDING CONTRACT BONUSES,
STANDARDS THAT WAITE CONTRACTORS
BASED ON THE QUALITY OF THEIR
WORK AND ABILITY TO MEET
DEADLINES P SMED WE COULD SAVE
$8 BILLION RIGHT THERE.
WE COULD CUT BACK ON UNNECESSARY
COSTS IN THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT'S DAY-TO-DAY SPENDING
LIKE PRINTING EXPENSES.
CIVILIAN FEDERAL EMPLOYEES SPEND
AN STIVMENTED $1.P 3 BILLION ON
OFFICE PRINTING EVERY YEAR AND
IT'S ESTIMATED THAT ESTIMATE $440 MILLION OF
THAT PRINT SUNG NECESSARY.
IF WE COULD CUT THAT $440
MILLION IN WASTE ALONE ON THE
UNNECESSARY PRINTING, WE COULD
SAVE 4.4 BILLION OVER TEN YEARS.
THEN THERE'S THE $4 BILLION WE
SPEND ON FEDERAL VEHICLES EVERY
YEAR.
IF WE COULD CUT THAT BUDGET BY
20%, WE COULD SAVE $800 MILLION
A YEAR AND $8 BILLION OVER TEN
YEARS.
ADDITIONALLY, THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT IS THE LARGEST
PROPERTY OWNER IN THE COUNTRY
WITH AN INVENTORY OF MORE THAN
$1.2 -- 1.2 MILLION BUILDINGS
AND STRUCTURES, SOME OF IT
UNUSED.
IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE FOR
TAXPAYERS TO CONTINUE PAYING FOR
UPKEEP OF THESE PROPERTIES WHEN
WE COULD SELL THEM OR REPURPOSE
EFFICIENT.
THEM TO MAKE THEM MORE
WE COULD CAPTURE $15 BILLION IN
SAVINGS ON OUR DEFICIT BY
SELLING PROPERTIES THAT HAVE
BEEN IDENTIFIED AS "EXCESS" AND
ELIMINATING THEIR UPKEEP COSTS.
OBVIOUSLY I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT
ALL FEDERAL PROPERTIES, MADAM
PRESIDENT.
BUT THERE ARE PROPERTIES THAT
"EXCESS."
HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS X
THERE ARE ALSO A NUMBER OF WAYS
TO CUT WASTE FROM OUR HEALTH
CARE SPENDING.
WE SHOULD START BY CENDZING THE
GIVEAWAY TO THE PHARMACEUTICAL
COMPANIES AND ALLOW FOR PRICE
NEGOTIATION WITH PRESCRIPTION
DRUGS AND MEDICARE PART-D.
THE NONINTERFERENCE CLAUSE IN
THE MEDICARE PART-D PRESCRIPTION
DRUG BENEFIT PREVENTS PRICE
NEGOTIATING.
THIS HAS IMPOSED SUBSTANTIAL AND
UNNECESSARY COSTS ON AMERICA'S
TAXPAYERS AND SENIORS WHO ARE
PAYING EXCESSIVE PRICES FOR
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.
WITH MEDICARE BARRED FROM
NEGOTIATING DISCOUNTS, SENIORS
FACE INFLATED PRICES FOR THEIR
MEDICATIONS WHILE THE
PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY GETS A
FINANCIAL WINDFALL.
I'M FIGHTING TO CHANGE THAT SO
THAT OUR SENIORS CAN HAVE ACCESS
TO THEIR MEDICINES AT THE LOWEST
POSSIBLE PRICES AND I HAVE
INTRODUCED A BILL ALONG WITH
SENATORS BEGICH AND BLUMENTHAL
THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR PRICE
NEGOTIATION.
ALLOWING MEDICARE TO DIRECTLY
NEGOTIATE THESE PRICES LIKE THE
VETERANS ADMINISTRATION DOES
COULD SAVE US $240 BILLION OVER
THE NEXT TEN YEARS.
WE ALSO NEED TO TAKE A SERIOUS
NEED AT MEDICARE FRAUD.
LAW ENFORCEMENT ESTIMATES THAT
MEDICARE FRAUD COSTS TAXPAYERS
MORE THAN $60 BILLION EVERY
YEAR.
THIS MEANS THAT AS MUCH AS 20%
OF THE TOTAL OF MEDICARE SPEND
SOMETHING LOST TO FRAUD EACH
YEAR.
TO HELP COMBAT THESE TYPES OF
FRAUD, I HAVE INTRODUCED THE
IMPROVE ACT, IMPROVING MEDICAID,
MEDICARE PAYMENT POLICY FOR
REIMBURSEMENT THROUGH OVERSIGHT
AND EFFICIENCY WHICH WOULD HELP
DETER FRAUD BY REQUIRING DIRECT
DEPOSITING OF ALL PAYMENTS MADE
TO PROVIDERS UNDER MEDICAID AND
UNDER MEDICARE.
THESE CRIMINALS SCHEME THE
SYSTEM TO ROB THE AMERICAN
TAXPAYERS OF MONEY THAT SHOULD
BE USED TO PROVIDE HEALTH CARE
TO THOSE THAT NEED IT MOST.
WE MUST PUT A STOP TO IT.
PUTTING AN END TO WASTE, FRAUD,
AND AINTUSE CRITICAL STEP TO
SAVE TAXPAYER DOLLARS AS WE LOOK
FOR WAYS TO MAKE OUR HEALTH CARE
SYSTEM MORE EFFICIENT BUT WE
NEED TO LOOK FOR OTHER WAYS TO
MAKE OUR GOVERNMENT AND THE WAY
WASHINGTON WORKS MORE EFFICIENT
AS WELL.
II MENTIONED EFFORTS TO REDUCE
DUPE CCUMU CAYIVE PROGRAMS IN
OUR GOVERNMENT BUT WE COULD ALSO
TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT THE
DIFFERENT AGENCIES.
FOR EXAMPLE, WE COULD CUT $75
BILLION FROM OUR DEFENSE
SPHENDZING BY RESTRUSMG OUR
BUDGET AND INCREASING
EFFICIENCY.
WHETHER IT IS HOLDING CIVILIAN
WORKFORCE LEVELS WHERE THEY WERE
IN FISCAL YEAR 2010, WHICH WOULD
SAVING $13 BILLION, OR MAKING
TARGETED CHANGES TO PENTAGON
MISSIONS AND PRIORITIES, WHICH
WOULD SAVE $11 BILLION, OR EVEN
JUST GOING -- DOING AWAY WITH
UNNECESSARY STUDIES AND INTERNAL
REPORTS, WHICH WOULD SAVE $1
BILLION, THESE CUTS ALL ADD UP.
SECRETARY GATES HAS PROPOSED AND
SUPPORTS THESE CUTS, AND I
BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE NECESSARY
AS WE LOOK NOR WAYS TO
STREAMLINE OUR GOVERNMENT AND
REDUCE OUR DEFICIT.
WHEN SECRETARY GATES SAYS HE
DOESN'T NEED A CERTAIN TYPE OF A
PLANE BECAUSE HE HAS ANOTHER
PLANE, I THINK WE SHOULD LISTEN
TO THAT AS WE LOOK AT HOW WE'RE
GOING TO SAVE MONEY IN THIS
GOVERNMENT.
IN ADDITION TO CUTS IN SPENDING
AND EFFORTS TO STREAMLINE OUR
GOVERNMENT, WE ALSO NEED TO TAKE
A SERIOUS LOOK AT REVENUES AND
WAYS WE CAN STREAMLINE OUR TAX
CODE TO PAY DOWN OUR DEBT AND
ENSURE THAT THE UNITED STATES
REMAINS COMPETITIVE IN THIS
GLOBAL WORLD.
DESPITE THE FACT THAT FEDERAL
REVENUES IS AT ITS LOWEST LEVEL
AS A PERCENTAGE OF G.D.P. SINCE
1946, OUR EFFORTS LAST YEAR TO
LET THE TAX RATES FOR THE
WEALTHIEST AMERICANS RETURN TO
WHAT THEY WERE UNDER PRESIDENT
CLINTON WERE BLOCKED, EVEN
THOUGH IT WOULD SAVE $690
BILLION OVER THE NEXT DECADE,
EVEN IF YOU SAID IT,
MR. PRESIDENT, -- SET IT, MADAM
OVER $1 MILLION.
PRESIDENT, FOR PEOPLE MAKING
AND FOR THOSE PEOPLE YOU HAVE
THEIR TAXES SET AT THE LEVELS
DURING THE CLINTON ERA.
IF YOU DID THAT, AT A TIME WHEN
WE WERE VERY PROSPEROUS, YOU
WOULD SAVE $400 BILLION IN TEN
YEARS ON THE DEFICIT.
WHILE NOT ALL MY COLLEAGUES
AGREE ON HOW OR EVEN WHETHER WE
SHOULD RAISE MORE REVENUE, EVERY
SERIOUS BIPARTISAN PROPOSAL HAS
MADE IT A CLEAR MUST.
IN THE QUARTER CENTURY SINCE THE
LAST TAX REFORM, THE SYSTEM HAS
BEEN RIDDLED WITH BENEFITS TO
SPECIAL INTERESTS.
THESE ADD UP QUICKLY COSTING US
OVER $1 TRILLION A YEAR.
FOR EXAMPLE, DESPITE OIL AND GAS
COMPANIES REPORTING RECORD
PROFITS IN RECENT YEARS, THEY
WILL RECEIVE AN ESTIMATED $35
BILLION IN TAX BREAKS OVER THE
NEXT DECADE, AND THERE ARE MANY
COMPANIES THAT ATTEMPT TO EVADE
OUR TAX SYSTEM ALTOGETHER.
CLOSING THESE LOOPHOLES CAN SAVE
TENS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
EXPENDITURES LIKE THESE RIDDLE
THE INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX CODE
AS WELL.
NOW, ONE THING I THINK IS WORTH
LOOKING AT AND SOMETHING NEAR AN
DEAR TO THE HEART OF EVERY
AMERICAN THAT OWNS A HOME IS THE
MORTGAGE INTEREST DEDUCTION.
I'VE USED IT.
EVERYONE I KNOW WHO BOUGHT A
HOUSE HAS USED T BUT HERE'S THE
DEAL.
THE DEDUCTION IS EXPECTED TO
LOWER TAX REVENUES BY NEARLY
$500 BILLION FROM 2010 TO 2013.
HOWEVER, MOST OF THE BENEFITS
DON'T GO TO THE MIDDLE CLASS.
SO ONE IDEA -- AND THIS CAME OUT
OF THE FISCAL COMMISSION -- IS
TO MAKE SURE THOSE BENEFITS ARE
CLASS.
FIRM THERE THERE FOR THE MIDDLE
THAT IS, TO SET THE CREDIT AS
EQUAL TO 12% OF INTEREST
PAYMENTS UP TO $500 ON MORTGAGE
DEBT ON PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE.
IF YOU BUY A HOUSE THAT'S $1
MILLION, YOU STILL GET THE
MORTGAGE DEDUCTION, BUT IT'S YOU
L. UP TO $500,000 IN THE VALUE
OF THE HOME.
IF YOU GET A HOUSE 230 RDZ
00,000 OR $400 THO, IT IS NOT
GOING TO CHANGE THE MORTGAGE
DEDUCTION AT ALL.
THIS PROPOSAL WOULD SAVE $400
BILLION OR MORE OVER THE NEXT
DECADE.
BY TAKING STEPS LIKE THIS, WE
CAN LOWER TAX RATES, BROADEN THE
BASE, SIMPLIFY THE TAX CODE, AND
AT THE SAME TIME BRING DOWN THE
DEFICIT.
THIS WILL BENEFIT WORKING
FAMILIES AND MAKE AMERICA MORE
COMPETITIVE IN THE GLOBAL
ECONOMY.
THESE IDEAS ARE JUST A FEW OF
THE IDEAS THAT I BELIEVE WARRANT
A CLOSER LOOK AND SHOULD BE
CONSIDERED AS WE LOOK TO REDUCE
OUR NATION'S DEFICIT.
TOGETHER THEY REPRESENT AT LEAST
$1 TRILLION IN SAVINGS THAT
COULD BE INCLUDED AS PART OF A
BIPARTISAN LONG-TERM
DEFICIT-REDUCTION PLAN IN
ADDITION TO A LOT OF THE WORK
WE'VE ALREADY DONE THIS YEAR FOR
SPENDING CUTS.
WE CAN LOOK AT SOME ADDITIONAL
IDEAS FOR NEXT YEAR AND THERE
ARE MANY, MANY MORE.
THESE ARE JUST SIMPLY SOME THAT
I HOPE THE PRESIDENT INCLUDES IN
HIS PROPOSAL AND THAT THE
DEFICIT COMMISSION INCLUDES AS
WE WILL.
TOMORROW WE WILL HEAR FROM THE
PRESIDENT AND I HOPE WE LAIR A
PLAN THAT REFLECTS THE
CHALLENGES WE FACE AS A NATION,
FISCAL CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
THAT BUILDS ON THE WORK OF THE
AND THAT BRINGS BOTH PARTIES TO
THE TABLE FOR A GROWN-UP
GAIVMENT THE SOONER WE CAN AGREE
ON A LONG-TERM PACKAGE OF SMART
CUTS, THE BETTER FOR OUR ECONOMY
AND THE BETTER FOR OUR COUNTRY.
I'M HOPING THAT WE CAN PUT
PARTISAN DIFFERENCES ASIDE TO
WORK ON AN AGENDA THAT
STRENGTHENS OUR ECONOMY,
PROMOTES FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY,
AND INCREASES GLOBAL
COMPETITIVENESS.
BECAUSE IF WE REFUSE TO HAVE AN
HONEST CONVERSATION ABOUT THIS,
IF WE INSIST ON JUST USING THE
DEBATE AS A VEHICLE FOR ANGRY
RHETORIC, AN EXCUSE FOR TAKING
CHEAP POLITICAL SHOTS, WE WILL
NOT JUST BE DOING OUR SCEFS A
DISSERVICE AND THIS INSTITUTION
A DISSERVICE, WE WILL BE
CHEATING OUR CHILDREN AND OUR
GRANDCHILDREN OUT OF KNOWING THE
AMERICA THAT WE GREW UP IN.
THE DEFICIT ISN'T JUST GOING TO
FIX ITSELF.
WE ALL THOUGH IN A.
WE ALL KNOW THAT WE JUST CAN'T
CLOSE OUR EYES, CLICK OUR HEELS
AND, POOF, THE DEBT GOES AWAY.
IN THEIR REPORT, THE NATIONAL
COMMISSION ON FISCAL
RESPONSIBILITY WROTE THAT EVERY
MODEST SACRIFICE WE REFUSE TO
MAKE TODAY ONLY FORCES FAR
GREATER SACRIFICES OF HOPE AND
OPPORTUNITY UPON THE NEXT
GENERATION.
AND THEY'RE RIGHT.
THE LONGER WE WAIT, THE MORE
WRERCHLING THE CHOICE -- WRENCHING THE
CHOICES BECOME.
THE MORE WE SET OUR SELF UP TO
BECOME ANOTHER GREECE OR
IRELAND.
YOU KNOW WHO IS GOING TO BE
MAKING THE PAINFUL CHOICES IF WE
DON'T DO ANYTHING RIGHT NOW?
THAT'S RIGHT.
IT'S OUR KIDS AND OUR KIDS'
KIDS.
IS THIS REALLY THE LEGACY WOULD
NOT WE WANT TO LEAVE THEM?
THIS IS OUR CHALLENGE AND IT
WILL BE A HARD CHALLENGE TO
MEET.
BUT I AM CONFIDENT THAT WE CAN
COME TOGETHER TO MAKE THESE
TOUGH CHOICES, TO DO WHAT'S
RIGHT FOR OUR COMIRKS AND TO
RENEW THE AMERICAN PROMISE OF
PROGRESS AND OPPORTUNITY FOR
GENERATIONS TO COME.
THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT.
I YIELD THE FLOOR.
I NOTE THE ABSENCE OF A QUORUM.
THE
ROLL.
QUORUM CALL:
MADAM PRESIDENT?
THE
MADAM PRESIDENT,
SENATOR FROM ALABAMA.
BE DISPENSED WITH.
I WOULD ASK THAT THE QUORUM CALL
WITHOUT
OBJECTION.
AND I WOULD ASK
11:00.
THAT I BE ALLOWED TO SPEAK UNTIL
I THINK THAT'S THE AGREED UPON
10:55.
TIME; AND THAT I BE NOTIFIED AT
WITHOUT
OBJECTION.
MR. PRESIDENT,
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE HIGH
EXPECTATIONS OF THEIR LEADERS.
THEY SHOULD HAVE THAT, AND THEY
SHOULD DEMAND THAT.
AND ONE OF THE BASIC
EXPECTATIONS THAT WE SHOULD HAVE
FOR OUR PRESIDENT THAT HE WOULD
BE HONEST AND FORTHRIGHT IN
DISCUSSING THE CRITICAL ISSUES
FACING OUR NATION.
HE SHOULD ENGAGE IN THE NATION'S
MOST IMPORTANT DEBATES AND
PROVIDE LEADERSHIP AND TAKE ALL
APPROPRIATE STEPS TO PROTECT OUR
NATION WHEN WE FACE A CLEAR AND
PRESENT DANGER.
CLEARLY, THE DOMINANT ISSUE OF
OUR TIME, I THINK THERE IS NO
DISPUTE WITHIN THIS CHAMBER,
THAT ISSUE IS OUR FISCAL PATH,
THE DEBT COURSE WE'RE ON, THE
FACT THAT WE WANT TO SEE OUR
COUNTRY BE PROSPEROUS AND GROW,
CREATE MORE JOBS, NOT LOSING
JOBS.
AND TO DO THAT, WE'VE GOT TO
CONFRONT THE LARGE SOARING DEBT
THAT WE HAVE.
IT DWARFS ALL OTHER ISSUES.
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE KNOW IT.
THEY GAVE A SHELLACKING TO THE
BIG SPENDERS IN THE LAST
ELECTION.
IT'S WHAT I HEAR WHENEVER I'M AT
HOME, WHAT MY MAILS AND E-MAILS
AND PHONE CALLS SAY.
PEOPLE ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE
FUTURE OF OUR COUNTRY
ECONOMICALLY, AND THEY ARE
EXACTLY RIGHT.
THE PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT RIGHT
ARE THOSE WHO SAY CHANGE IS NOT
NECESSARY.
PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THE N
DENIAL -- PEOPLE WHO ARE IN
DENIAL, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND
DEPARTMENTS, PEOPLE WHO RECEIVE
GOVERNMENTAL GRANTS AND PROGRAMS
THINK THAT NOTHING HAS CHANGED
HAVE CHANGED.
IN THEIR OWN MINDS, BUT THINGS
I WISH IT WEREN'T SO, BUT IT IS
SO.
SO THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET ACT
REQUIRES THAT CONGRESS PASS A
BUDGET EVERY YEAR BY APRIL 15.
THAT'S THIS FRIDAY.
THE BUDGET THAT CONGRESS HAS
RECEIVED FROM THE WHITE HOUSE A
FEW WEEKS AGO, I HAVE DESCRIBED
AS THE MOST IRRESPONSIBLE BUDGET
EVER SUBMITTED BY A PRESIDENT TO
THE CONGRESS AND TO THE NATION
BECAUSE IT DID NOTHING TO
CONFRONT THE PROBLEMS WE FACE.
IT MADE NO RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT
THE ENTITLEMENT PROGRAMS --
MEDICAID.
SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICARE,
ZERO.
IT INCREASED DISCRETIONARY
SPENDING, INCREASED TAXES BY
$1.7 TRILLION.
AND ACCORDING TO THE
CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE WHO
ANALYZED THE PRESIDENT'S BUDGET,
THEY CONCLUDE THAT HAD IT
INCREASES THE DEBT, WHEN IT'S
ALL OVER, MORE THAN THE DEBT
WOULD HAVE BEEN INCREASED IF WE
HADN'T HAD A BUDGET FROM THE
PRESIDENT, EVEN WITH THE $1.7
TRILLION IN NEW TAXES.
THAT'S WHY IT WAS IRRESPONSIBLE.
IT DID NOT CONFRONT THE ISSUES
THAT WE SO SERIOUSLY CONFRONT
TODAY.
AND HE SAID WHEN HE ANNOUNCED IT
THAT THAT BUDGET WOULD CAUSE US
TO LIVE WITHIN OUR MEANS, THAT
IT WOULD NOT INCREASE THE DEBT
AND THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO
SPEND ANY MORE MONEY THAN WE'RE
TAKING IN.
FACT CHECK ORGANIZATIONS HAVE
ALL FOUND THAT TO BE FALSE.
IT'S PLAINLY FALSE.
THE LOWEST SINGLE YEAR IN WHICH
WE HAVE A DEFICIT -- AND WE HAVE
A DEFICIT EVERY YEAR UNDER THE
PRESIDENT'S BUDGET -- IS $740
BILLION.
AND IT'S INCREASING IN THE TENTH
YEAR TO $1.2 TRILLION.
THE HIGHEST DEFICIT PRESIDENT
BUSH WAS $450 BILLION.
THE LOWEST PRESIDENT OBAMA
PROJECTS IN TEN YEARS IS $750
BILLION AND GOING UP IN THE OUT
YEARS TO $1.2 TRILLION.
IN CONTRAST, HOUSE BUDGET
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN PAUL RYAN HAS
MADE THE MOST SERIOUS ATTEMPT, I
THINK, MAYBE IN HISTORY TO DEAL
WITH THE SYSTEMIC THREATS OUR
COUNTRY FACES TO TACKLE OUR
LONG-TERM FISCAL CHALLENGES.
NOW, THE BOWLES AND SIMPSON DEBT
COMMISSION COCHAIRMEN APPOINTED
BY PRESIDENT OBAMA -- HIS OWN
COMMISSION -- DESCRIBED PAUL
RYAN'S BUDGET THIS WAY: A
SERIOUS, HONEST, STRAIGHTFORWARD
APPROACH TO ADDRESSING OUR
NATION'S ENORMOUS FISCAL
CHALLENGES.
THEY WENT ON TO SAY -- QUOTE --
"GOING FORWARD, ANYONE WHO
ISSUES AN ALTERNATIVE PLAN TO
CHAIRMAN RYAN'S SHOULD BE HELD
TO THE SAME STANDARD WHEN
OFFERING THEIR SOLUTIONS.
WE SIMPLY CANNOT BACK AWAY FROM
THESE ISSUES."
CLOSE QUOTE.
RATHER THAN DEFEND THE
PRESIDENT'S BUDGET OR OFFER AN
ALTERNATIVE, WHAT WE'VE BEEN
SEEING IN THIS CHAMBER ARE JUST
ATTACKS ON CONGRESSMAN RYAN,
ATTACKS ON ANYBODY THAT SAYS
CHANGE HAS GOT TO OCCUR.
CHANGE.
THEY ACT LIKE NOTHING HAS TO
MANY REMAIN IN DENIAL.
OUR CHAIRMAN, SENATOR CONRAD,
WHO SAID SO MANY GOOD THINGS --
OUR DEMOCRATIC CHAIRMAN -- ABOUT
THE NEED TO CHALLENGE THE STATUS
QUO AND MAKE CHANGES TO PUT OUR
COUNTRY ON THE RIGHT PATH, SAID
REPRESENTATIVE RYAN'S PROPOSAL
IS PARTISAN AND IDEOLOGICAL.
HE PROVIDES DRAMATIC TAX CUTS
FOR THE WEALTHIEST FINANCED BY
DRACONIAN REDUCTIONS IN MEDICARE
AND MEDICAID.
HIS PROPOSALS ARE UNREASONABLE
AND UNSUSTAINABLE.
CLOSE QUOTE.
WELL, IS THIS GOING TO BE THE
NATURE OF OUR DISCUSSION?
I THOUGHT WE WERE SUPPOSED TO BE
TRYING TO REACH A BIPARTISAN
UNDERSTANDING OF THE CHALLENGES
FACING US AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT
IT.
YOU SAW WHAT THE PRESIDENT'S OWN
DEBT COMMISSION COCHAIRMAN SAID
PROPOSAL.
RESPECTFULLY OF THE RYAN
AND THIS IS WHAT OUR LEADERSHIP
SAYS.
OTHERS HAVE CALLED IT EXTREME.
THEY SAY IT'S DRIVEN BY THESE
EVIL TEA PARTY PEOPLE WHO DON'T
KNOW ANYTHING.
THEY KNOW SOMETHING.
THEY KNOW THE GOVERNMENT IS
SPENDING US INTO VIRTUAL
BANKRUPTCY AND THAT CONGRESS HAS
FAILED IN ITS BASIC
RESPONSIBILITIES TO PROTECT THE
NATION FROM ECONOMIC DANGER.
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE RIGHT.
WELL, SO THE PRESIDENT NOW SAYS
THAT AFTER REALLY NOT ONCE
DISCUSSING WITH THE AMERICAN
PEOPLE WHY WE HAVE A CRISIS, I
CALLED ON HIM BEFORE THE STATE
OF THE UNION MESSAGE TO ENTER
INTO A DIALOGUE WITH THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE, TO LOOK THEM IN
THE EYE AND EXPLAIN WHY WE'RE IN
TROUBLE, WHY WE'VE GOT TO
CHANGE.
WHO WANTS TO GO AND PROPOSE ANY
REDUCTION IN ANY SPENDING?
SENATOR
SESSIONS, YOU HAVE FIVE MINUTES
LEFT.
I THANK THE
PRESIDENT.
AND WHO WANTS TO DO THAT?
WE'RE IN A POSITION WHERE WE
HAVE TO MAKE THOSE KIND OF TOUGH
CHOICES, JUST LIKE OUR COUNTIES,
OUR CITIES, OUR MAYORS, OUR
DAY.
STATE GOVERNORS ARE MAKE EVERY
SO NOW WE'RE TOLD THE PRESIDENT
IS GOING TO GIVE A SPEECH.
HE HASN'T YET EVEN DISCUSSED THE
DANGER WE FACE.
AND WE'RE TOLD THAT THE
PRESIDENT IS PLANNING THIS MAJOR
SPEECH TO DISCUSS OUR LONG-TERM
FISCAL PROBLEM.
WELL, I'D SAY, FIRST OF ALL, IT
HAS TO BE CONSIDERED A DRAMATIC
ADMISSION THAT HIS PREVIOUS
CLAIMS THAT HIS BUDGET CALLS ON
US TO LIVE WITHIN OUR MEANS, TO
PAY DOWN THE DEBT AND NOT ADD TO
THE DEBT WERE FALSE.
THEY SAY THAT THE PRESIDENT WILL
SUPPORT SOME OF THE
RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE FISCAL
COMMISSION, HIS OWN COMMISSION,
BOWLES AND SIMPSON.
I HOPE THAT'S TRUE, BUT I JUST
WANT TO SAY THIS: AT THIS POINT
IN HISTORY, WITH THE BUDGET
SUPPOSED TO BE PASSED IN THE
SENATE FRIDAY, AND WE HAVEN'T
EVEN HAD A MARKUP TO HAVE A
HEARING ON A BUDGET, WE'VE NOT
SEEN ONE OTHER THAN THE
PRESIDENT'S PREVIOUS BUDGET
WHICH IS SO UTTERLY
IRRESPONSIBLE, I THINK HE OWES
MORE THAN A SPEECH.
WE HEAR A LOT OF SPEECHES IN
PRESIDENT.
THIS COUNTRY, A LOT FROM THE
ALL WE NEED IS NUMBERS.
WHAT HE NEEDS TO DO IS SUBMIT A
NEW BUDGET.
IF HE'S GOING TO CHANGE HIS
PROJECTIONS FOR THE FUTURE AND
GO INTO -- PROPOSE ALTERATIONS
IN OUR ENTITLEMENT PROGRAMS,
LET'S SEE THE NUMBERS.
HE'S GOT, WHAT?
300, 500 PEOPLE IN THE
PRESIDENT'S OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT
AND BUDGET.
SO IF THIS IS SERIOUS, LET'S
HAVE A SERIOUS PROPOSAL.
THE HOUSE HAS DONE IT.
THE HOUSE, REPUBLICAN HOUSE,
THEY'VE GOT A BUDGET.
BUDGET.
THEY'RE GOING TO MOVE THAT
I SUSPECT WE'LL HAVE THAT BUDGET
PASSED IN THE HOUSE BY FRIDAY.
IT'S GOT REAL NUMBERS, REAL
INTEGRITY, REAL CHANGE.
IT PUTS US ON A PATH TO
PROSPERITY, NOT DEBT AND
DECLINE.
SERIOUS.
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE KNOW THIS IS
THEY KNOW WE'RE IN A DANGEROUS
TIME.
AND ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS RISE UP
AND MAKE SOME TOUGH CHOICES LIKE
MAYORS AND GOVERNORS AND
FAMILIES ARE MAKING AROUND THEIR
KITCHEN TABLE EVERY DAY.
THIS IS NOT -- WHEN WE GET
THROUGH THIS EXERCISE -- AND WE
WILL; OVER A PERIOD OF YEARS
PROBABLY -- WE'RE NOT GOING TO
FIND THAT THE GOVERNMENT SANK
INTO THE OCEAN BECAUSE WE
REDUCED AGENCIES 15%, 20%, 25%,
EVEN IF THEY NEED TO BE THAT
MUCH.
MOST WON'T HAVE TO BE THAT MUCH.
SO THE PRESIDENT NEEDS TO LAY
OUT CONCRETE SPECIFIC DETAILS
ABOUT HOW HE INTENDS TO SOLVE
THESE CHALLENGES THAT WE FACE.
NOT A GENERAL SPEECH.
AND THE HOUSE AND SENATE BUDGET
COMMITTEES MUST BE ABLE TO
REVIEW WHAT HE PROPOSES, AS THE
BUDGET ACT PRESUMES, IN REAL
NUMBERS, AND ADD THEM UP.
AND THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET
OFFICE NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO
ANALYZE IT, THE NONPARTISAN
BUDGET OFFICE TO, SEE WHAT WILL
ACTUALLY PLAY OUT IN TERMS OF
DOLLARS.
THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF O.M.B.,
THE PRESIDENT CAN DO THIS, IN
1996 PRESIDENT CLINTON PRODUCED
FOUR BUDGETS, AND THAT SHUTDOWN
OCCURRED DURING THAT TIME, AND
THEY HAD A BIG FIGHT DURING THAT
TIME.
BUT YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED THREE
YEARS LATER?
THE BUDGET WAS BALANCED.
YES, IT WAS A MESSY FIGHT AND
PEOPLE MADE A LOT OF MISTAKES.
BUT THE END RESULT WAS THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE SAID YOU'RE
SPENDING TOO MUCH.
CONGRESS ROSE UP AND SAID WE'RE
NOT GOING TO KEEP DOING THIS.
AND THEY BALANCED A BUDGET.
WE'RE IN A DEEPER HOLE TODAY.
IT'S GOING TO BE A LOT HARDER,
BUT IT CAN BE DONE AGAIN IF WE
MEET THE CHALLENGES.
SO THE QUESTIONS THAT MUST BE
ANSWERED BY THE PRESIDENT IN THE
NEW BUDGET ARE SOME OF THESE:
THE FISCAL COMMISSION RECOMMENDS
$1.3 TRILLION LESS IN
DISCRETIONARY SPENDING THAN
BUDGET.
PROPOSED IN THE PRESIDENT'S
HOW DOES THE PRESIDENT PLAN TO
ALTER HIS BUDGET TO ACHIEVE
THOSE SAVINGS?
THE FISCAL COMMISSION RECOMMENDS
FINDING $600 BILLION IN
ENTITLEMENT SAVINGS.
BUT THE PRESIDENT'S BUDGET WOULD
INCREASE ENTITLEMENT SPENDING BY
$905 BILLION.
THAT'S HIS BUDGET HE SUBMITTED
ALREADY, A FEW WEEKS AGO.
HOW DOES HE INTEND TO ACHIEVE
THESE SAVINGS IN ENSTPHAOEUPLTS
THE FISCAL -- IN ENSTPHAOEUPLTS
THE FISCAL COMMISSION
RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD REDUCE OUR
DEBT BY $4 TRILLION.
$5 TRILLION.
THE RYAN PLAN WOULD REDUCE IT BY
BUT THE PRESIDENT'S BUDGET WOULD
INCREASE THE DEBT BY $10
TRILLION AND WOULD NOT PRODUCE
ANY SAVINGS REALLY.
HOW
WOULD THE PRESIDENT ALTER HIS
ORIGINAL BUDGET TO REDUCE THE
DEBT BY $4 TRILLION.
I'D LIKE IT TO SEE SOMETHING
MORE THAN A SPEECH.
GIVE ME A BREAK.
I'D LIKE TO SEE SOME NUMBERS.
SPHWHR SO WE CAN DISCUSS IT.
-- WHERE?
SO WE CAN DISCUSS IT.
ONCE THE PRESIDENT ENGAGES, WE
CAN HAVE THAT LONG OVERDUE
NATIONAL DIALOGUE ABOUT SOLVING
THE NATION'S PROBLEMS.
BUT HE'S GOT TO ACKNOWLEDGE WE
HAVE ONE, AS EVERY WINCE HAS
TOLD US.
THE DEBT COMMISSION CHAIRMAN,
SIRCH DOES ON AN BOWLES, SAID
THIS NATION HAS NEVER FACE ADD
CRISIS.
MORE PREDICTABLE FINANCIAL
THEY SEE IT COMING.
WE'VE GOT TO CHANGE.
SO I HOPE IN HIS SPEECH HE'LL
DISCUSS ENTITLEMENTS, DISCUSS
WHETHER IT IS GOOD TO BURDEN THE
ENERGY COMPANIES WITH NEW TAXES,
DISCUSS WHETHER WE SHOULD TAX
SMALL BUSINESSES EVEN MOSHINGS
DISCUSS THE MILITARY BUDGET.
THESE ARE REAL TOUGH ISSUES.
I THINK THE PRESIDENT SHOULD
TALK ABOUT THAT.
RATHER THAN TRYING TO DRAIN
EVERY CENT OF TAX REVENUE FROM
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, WASHINGTON
SHOULD TRY TO DRAIN EVERY CENT
BUDGET.
OF WASTE FROM THE FEDERAL
I HOPE THIS DOES NOT CONTINUE
THE PATTERN OF RETREAT THAT IS
ALREADY EMERGING WHERE THE
PRESIDENT SUPPORTS DEFICIT
REDUCTION IN THEORY BUT RESISTS
IT IN PRAVMENT PRACTICE AND CLAIMS CREDIT
REDUCTIONS.
WHEN HE'S FORCED TO ACCEPT
FOR A PRESIDENCY TO ABDICATE HIS
RESPONSIBILITY TO LEAD THE
EFFORT TO MEET ONE OF THE
GREATEST CHALLENGES OF OUR
NATION'S HISTORY WOULD BE
TANTAMOUNT TO LEAVING THE
BATTLEFIELD IN A TIME OF WAR.
SO I HOPE WE HAVE A SPEECH.
I HOPE IT'S BACKED UP WITH REAL
NUMBERS, AND I HOPE AND PRAY
THAT IT REPRESENTS A RECOGNITION
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATES THAT WE HAVE A SERIOUS
FISCAL CHALLENGE BEFORE US.
BUSINESS AS USUAL CANNOT
CONTINUE.
CHANGE IS NECESSARY, AND THAT HE
INTENDS TO PARTICIPATE IN THAT
AND HELP LEAD THE GOOD CHANGE
THAT'S NECESSARY.
I THANK THE PRESIDENT AND WOULD
YIELD THE FLOOR.
AND I NOTE THE ABSENCE OF A
QUORUM.
MADAM PRESIDENT, I WOULD ASK
THAT THE QUORUM CALL BE
DISPENSED WITH.
WITHOUT
OBJECTION.
I BELIEVE THERE
IS A NOMINATION THAT WILL BE
MOVING FORWARD.