Political Quotes

“I see there are a number of my colleagues who have joined me here in this effort so I will close with the following comment. Some of the people argue that they will consider closing tax loopholes but only if the resulting revenue is used to lower tax rates rather than reducing the deficit. This position is unwise for two reasons. First, the budget deficit is a significant problem for our country, and we should address it. Senator Murray's budget wisely takes the view that we need to act to reduce the deficit. Second, the people who elected us overwhelmingly believe that reforms to end these tax schemes, which I have outlined, should contribute to deficit reduction. A recent poll shows that more than 80 percent of Americans believe that revenue we recover from closing tax loopholes should be dedicated to reducing the deficit, not to cutting rates. Let's follow the path this budget resolution before us outlines: spending cuts, yes, but prudent, carefully considered cuts that preserve our most important priorities; Savings from reform of entitlement programs, yes, but reforms to keep the faith with seniors today and in the future. And, yes, revenue, revenue that ends the privileges of an influential few who have for far too long enjoyed unjustified tax breaks that boost corporate profits and the bank accounts of the wealthy few at the expense of ordinary Americans.…”