Chuck Grassley: “over the last 26 years, the budget resolution provided the necessary resources to allow the committee that I used to…”

“over the last 26 years, the budget resolution provided the necessary resources to allow the committee that I used to chair and now am ranking member on, the Finance Committee, jurisdiction over taxes. It provided us the necessary resources, usually in a bipartisan manner, to realistically address the demands of tax, trade, health and welfare policies--all things within the jurisdiction of our committee. So reading this budget compromise, I am very disappointed to say that this year is very much different than over the last few years. Now, I know the people spoke in November, and for the first time in 12 years the Democrats are in the majority and in control of the congressional budget process. As ranking Republican on the Finance Committee, I was not consulted at any point by our distinguished chairman of the Budget Committee on this year's budget resolution. Unfortunately, after reviewing the resolution conference agreement, the agreement that is before us now, it is clear it does not realistically address the needs of the very important work of the Finance Committee. Despite claims to the contrary, this budget does not provide for even 1 year, not even 1 year of alternative minimum tax relief, the tax that is going to hit 23 million Americans this very year, right now, who were not paying that AMT last year. Now, that is even for 1 year, let alone 2 years or even a 1-year extension of the provisions that will expire this year.”