Al Franken: “I also would like to take a few minutes to speak on another topic, the extension of unemployment benefits and COBRA…”

“I also would like to take a few minutes to speak on another topic, the extension of unemployment benefits and COBRA subsidies. I admire those in this body who take a principled stand. The Senate would get more done if all Members were guided by their basic core principles and put principles ahead of political posturing, ahead of party, ahead of polling. To block a legislative measure because it is not fully offset--sure, that could be based on principle. Believe me, I am concerned about our budget deficit. But principles are something you consistently stand behind. That is what makes it a principle, something you care about, something that guides you throughout your career. That is what makes it a principle. Principles cannot be ignored, even when it is expedient or advantageous to do so. Yet that is exactly what is happening now. A principle is being invoked only now that it is convenient. You might remember that when George W. Bush entered office, it was with a $200 billion budget surplus. He also entered office with projections of nearly $1 billion in future surpluses over the next decade, on a glide path to paying off the entire national debt. But instead of doing the sensible thing and paying down our debt when we had the means, the Bush administration racked up massive deficits at a record pace. Vice President Cheney even said ``deficits do not matter.'' Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan testified that we might pay off our debt just too quickly.…”