Tina Smith: “it is always difficult for Congress to save money. As the keepers of our Nation's checkbook, our main responsibility…”

“it is always difficult for Congress to save money. As the keepers of our Nation's checkbook, our main responsibility lies in allocating our resources where they are needed most. Instinctively, we as Senators like to send help to those who are in need, improve our infrastructure, and prepare for future crises. Yet, in order to adhere to our budget, we are considering a reconciliation bill that requires us to save a significant amount of money. While saving money during a time when there is so much need in our country is a very arduous task, the reconciliation package we are considering today is not only fiscally responsible but also morally defensible. This is a bill that protects the less fortunate among us. It takes pains to preserve the vital safety-net programs that millions of Americans rely on for such basic needs as feeding their families and receiving proper medical care. The package before us represents the work of five different committees and contains many hard-fought compromises. As is true with most pieces of legislation, it is not perfect, especially when considering the many interests involved in an undertaking of this size and complexity. Yet when you consider the policies that are not included in this bill, I believe even many of my Democratic colleagues will have to agree that this bill represents a true victory for our Nation's poor because we found efficiencies through government and did so in a manner to protect people from harm.…”