David Minge: “we have been journeying on a noble course here. It is a bipartisan course. It is a rank and file course. The leadership…”

“we have been journeying on a noble course here. It is a bipartisan course. It is a rank and file course. The leadership on both sides of the aisle has been either lukewarm or opposed to what we are doing. The White House has declined to provide us with any support. But instead Members of this body from around the country, from both parties, from all ends of the political spectrum, have seen that if we are not willing to stand up and take responsibility for what we do, hold ourselves accountable, introduce some discipline to the budget process, that we do not deserve to serve in this institution. We feel that strong bipartisan budget enforcement is long overdue. It should not just apply to discretionary spending. It should apply to the entitlement programs. We ought to hold our tax cuts to the same standards. For those on my side of the aisle, indeed I would have written this bill differently if I had the opportunity to do it just for myself. I am sure that on the other side of the aisle, the feeling is mutual. But we attempted to come together and craft a bill that would have bipartisan support. It is ironic that the Democrats feel it does not deal harshly enough with the tax cuts. The Republicans feel it deals too harshly. Let us come together and get the job done.”