Cord Byrd: “I would much rather have an exchange out here than just standing and reading a speech. I really mean that. I would like…”

“I would much rather have an exchange out here than just standing and reading a speech. I really mean that. I would like to see more of an exchange rather than just written speeches. So I am not perturbed by it. I am encouraged by it. At least somebody is listening. At least somebody is paying attention, and that somebody is giving me a chance to answer some questions. What a prescription for a balanced budget. That is a massive loophole. Let me read it again. "If an excess of outlays over receipts were to occur, Congress can require that any shortfall must be made up during the following fiscal year." Now, there is another scapegoat. That is a loophole that, if adopted by the Congress as part of its implementing legislation, would be big enough for Attila, the king of the Huns, and the scourge of God, to drive his 700 Scythian horsemen through. What the sponsors of the amendment are telling us is that, if Congress cannot figure out what to do, if Congress runs into options too difficult to swallow, Congress can just require that the shortfall be made up the next year. Just put it off until the next year. Now what kind of fiscal shenanigan is this? If you cannot balance one year, just roll it over to the next?...”