Pete Domenici: “I would like Senators to know a little history about the trust fund and whether or not there really is a surplus. At…”

“I would like Senators to know a little history about the trust fund and whether or not there really is a surplus. At least on the Republican side I would like them to read the Republican policy statement issued on October 6, just a few days ago, that analyzes the history of this. It will be good reading. If there ever was a myth, it is the myth about the great, great trust fund buildup that is there for highways that we ought to be using, everybody says; this budget process is just building that big reserve and that big slush fund. This will tell you that is kind of a paper tiger. I would call it one of the greatest myths around. Having said that, let me clear up the second point. No Republican voted for the 4.3-cent-gasoline tax. So I say to Senator Warner, you can get up and say you didn't. You are in good company. None of them did. On the other hand, I can say to my friend from West Virginia, you did, because every Democrat voted for it.”