Joe Lieberman: “I did not comment because, for me, the distinguishing factor in this amendment is the short-term economic stimulus and…”

“I did not comment because, for me, the distinguishing factor in this amendment is the short-term economic stimulus and the particular method to achieve it, which is spelled out here, which is the substitute for the House tax bill. Those who framed the amendment consistently linked it with the long-term tax cut that, as you know, most Democrats propose because we think it is more fiscally responsible. Mr. President, if I may return the question, is the Senator from Utah prepared to separate the short-term fiscal stimulus? Again, I think across the aisle we agree that $60 billion is the number. We may disagree about how to distribute it--to separate that from the longer term, 10-year discussion about how to divide the surplus.”