The two of us have done this budgeting differently because we have done it bipartisanly from the very beginning.

It falls on you to solve the Medicare problem, to solve the tax problem with a reform measure that will either be neutral in revenue or will gain revenue.

For it to survive, you have to end up putting revenue into the mix.

If that is happening, I think that is private sector.

It is not a typical bill. It is very difficult to understand.

Frankly, I think we gave you a plan that is really doable.

It is indefensible for any of you who think we ought to do good work around here and that we ought to not go wild in getting rid of our defense of our country, to not take seriously that something has to be done to see to it that the…

I am sure people are scratching their heads, as I am, wondering, why is the President not sitting down with top congressional leaders and saying, how do we avoid this, as opposed to, I am sad to say, the President does not seem very…

I think we have to do that.

We may not know all the answers that you seek of us because we did not have a lot of time to study in detail the more intricate health care issues.

It would relate in some way to the process that you and I have learned and call reconciliation.

I want to remind the committee again, and I will say it to you, Senator Snowe, remember, our package was put together by Democrats and Republicans, so we do not come here starting with one side or the other.

That is clearly a part of it, no question.

I think that the last point that Dr. Rivlin made you can find in the report: that our plan is more progressive than the tax code we are replacing.

We are fortunate, and we want to make sure you know that what you get, the work product you get, is bipartisan.

Mr. President, I now move to proceed to Calendar No. 250, S. 1940. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will report the motion. The assistant legislative clerk read as follows: Motion to proceed to Calendar No. 250, S. 1940, a bill…

Mr. President, this is a day I did not think would ever arrive. But we are here, I think. I so admire, having managed a few bills in my day, the work done by Senator Stabenow and Senator Roberts. I will say more about that later. This is…

Mr. President, the Senate will continue debate on the farm bill today. At 5 p.m. the Senate will proceed to executive session to consider the nomination of Mary Lewis to be U.S. District Judge for the District of South Carolina. At 5:30…