Chris Dodd: “In fact, I was the fourth cosponsor of the Gramm-Rudman deficit reduction proposal and budget-saving mechanism when it…”

“In fact, I was the fourth cosponsor of the Gramm-Rudman deficit reduction proposal and budget-saving mechanism when it was first introduced and was the subject of such heated debate in this body in the early 1980s. I heard my colleague from Nevada yesterday talk about what a tight-fisted Senator, Warren Rudman was as a Member of this body as well. He was not someone who was known as a profligate spender. He believed very strongly in budget discipline. By the way, we are low-balling the numbers. We are offering a little less than $15 billion. That is based on the assumption that States may be doing more. When you read this report, you will get into some of the details and you will wonder why Senator Stabenow and I didn't offer an amendment with more dollars based on its conclusions. The Senator from Nevada is absolutely correct. Warren Rudman is an individual who does serious work. This is the second report in which he has been involved.”