On the recordJuly 7, 2011
pending is S. 1323, which is the sense-of- the-Senate resolution. For those who follow the Senate, this is not a law. It will not be a law, if passed. It is merely an expression of sentiment by the Senate on an issue. It can be summarized very quickly with the sense-of-the-Senate clause, which reads: It is the sense of the Senate that any agreement to reduce the budget deficit should require that those earning $1,000,000 or more per year make a more meaningful contribution to the deficit reduction effort. Why are we even talking about this? Wouldn't everyone in America concede that everyone needs to make a sacrifice if we are going to make this country stronger? Those who can make a greater sacrifice, those who are well-off, with an income of $1 million or more each year, should do a little more. Why is that such a bold and controversial suggestion? Because, in fact, when we look at the actions taken by Congress over the last 10 years, we have found a political sentiment, primarily from the other side of the aisle--not exclusively, primarily--which says we cannot ask sacrifice of the wealthiest people in America. I can tell those who are students of American history know when we have had a challenge in this Nation, particularly during wars when our very existence was being challenged, people stepped up from every income level in America and said: I am willing to fight for this country. I am willing to die for this country.…





