John B. Breaux: “I rise to commend the Democratic leader on our side, Senator Daschle, and others who have put together a major effort in…”

“I rise to commend the Democratic leader on our side, Senator Daschle, and others who have put together a major effort in trying to offer a package of democratically oriented tax cuts which, in great sincerity, many, many people feel would be, by far, the better way to proceed--a more balanced, more honest package of tax cuts and how those tax cuts should apply to society. I think that what he is offering is yeoman's work in terms of fairness and making sure that if there is going to be a tax cut, people who need them the most will benefit the most from those tax cuts. While I praise my Democratic leader, I rise to say that I will not be able to support that package when it is called to be voted. I say that because we do not live in a perfect world. Neither is the Congress a perfect place. Neither is the Finance Committee a perfect group of individuals who have the wisdom of Solomon to craft a perfect bill. But what we have crafted in the Senate Finance Committee, because of the work of both Democrats and Republicans working together, I think is a package that merits our support.”