Cord Byrd: “If there are savings, let's spend the money in the trust fund for that which the American people think it is to be spent…”

“If there are savings, let's spend the money in the trust fund for that which the American people think it is to be spent for, not other competing needs. That is just what we are saying it is being spent now for--for other competing needs. We are saying, stop it, keep faith with the American people. Spend it for highways if it is going to be spent. Other competing needs--like what? Cutting taxes? Is that what it is? I voted against a tax cut, Senator. I said let's put it against the deficit, let's take what you would spend on a tax cut and apply it on the budget. Let's balance the budget with it. I said I'm against a tax cut that the Republicans proposed and I'm against the cuts that the President proposed. Now, we are simply saying, let's spend it for highways if it is going to be spent and if the savings are there. Of course, the chairman of the Budget Committee and the members of the Budget Committee are going to make that decision. But the people need to know something now. Why do we do it now? Because, we have a highway bill before the Senate, that is why.”