Let me say, I believe first of all that what the Republicans have done, they ran this Government for 12 years.

This is a fair program.

I am tired of hearing about all the things we cannot do.

This is crazy.

If we don't do it, this deficit will move up toward $500 billion and $600 million a year.

The tax system will lift you out. You will be rewarded for your work.

This plan is fair.

I want to make it clear that the Senators who are here and others strongly support what is being done.

Those are the facts.

The purpose of this order is to create a mechanism to monitor total costs of direct spending programs.

The deficit reduction order creates a deficit reduction trust fund, an account in the Treasury that guarantees that the savings from the reconciliation bill are dedicated exclusively to reducing the deficit.

It will get straightened out if it passes, because once the bill passes, reality takes over and the rhetoric shrinks.

As important as this plan is for reducing the budget and investment deficits, these Executive orders deal also with the trust deficit.

We are being given a chance now to demonstrate that vision and that will.

We must go forward together; that there is no place for hatred or division.

This fuel tax increase is quite modest and, for example, will be a much lower burden on fuel than the Btu tax.

Today the Senate passed our national service program, one of my top legislative priorities.

Tonight I will address the Nation about my plans to put our economic house in order.