Cord Byrd: “I saw those lovely pictures of the Senator's grandchildren, and we all love our grandchildren. I have been loving my…”

“I saw those lovely pictures of the Senator's grandchildren, and we all love our grandchildren. I have been loving my grandchildren for almost 30 years now. But if we really want to do something for those grandchildren, those two lovely grandchildren whose pictures the Senator so proudly and prominently displayed on the floor, let us get on with the business of reducing the deficits now. We do not have to have any constitutional amendment to balance the budget. We have the tools in our own hands now. If we really want to help those grandchildren, let us get on with balancing the budget. Let us speak out against tax cuts for the middle class, whether they are being advocated by Mr. Clinton or by the so-called Contract With America. Now is not the time for a tax cut. And let us not remove possible tax increases from the table when it comes to consideration. There must be some heads in this Chamber who have the expertise, who serve on the tax writing committees, who could devise a tax increase that would be calculated to reduce the deficit, which could be directed solely to the reduction of the deficit. I know it is not easy to vote for a tax increase. I have been in political bodies--I am in my 49th year of serving in various and sundry legislative bodies. It is not easy to vote for tax increases. It is always easy to vote for tax cuts. But I think we have to forget the easy road now and at least consider increasing some taxes.”