Pete Domenici: “the Budget Act is 25 years old and 22 times we have used reconciliation, and of that 22 times, 18 have had instructions…”

“the Budget Act is 25 years old and 22 times we have used reconciliation, and of that 22 times, 18 have had instructions to change, alter, or amend tax laws, change, alter, or amend programs such as Medicare, entitlement programs. We have done that. It has become an integral part of the Budget Act of the United States. Without that, you could take the Budget Act and say it is for nought. It would accomplish nothing. It would be an exercise in debating and then later on we would have as much time as we wanted on every bill. There would be filibusters on every bill and, as contemplated by the Framers, we would get no budget activity in the United States. Reconciliation includes minimum debate. Without minimum debate, nothing will be done of a budgetary nature for the United States. The Senator understands that. That is why he offers it. The budget will be a shell meaning nothing. I suggest we defeat the amendment.”