Judd Gregg: “The context of my comments are basically directed to the issue of debt. I believe debt should be reduced. I believe the…”

“The context of my comments are basically directed to the issue of debt. I believe debt should be reduced. I believe the way you reduce debt is to begin by reducing the deficit, which is what the budget does. But the presentation that this budget uniquely aggravates the debt is really not viable in the context of the solutions which are being offered by the other side because none of the solutions being offered by the other side would reduce the debt, either. They are basically offering--or at least they did in committee--amendments which increase spending and increase taxes, thus taking resources which logically the other side would want to use to reduce the debt but isn't, and spending the money. In the end, that doesn't reduce the debt at all. I didn't see in the markup at all any proposals that would reduce the debt coming from the other side. We look forward to them offering a budget which accomplishes that. I would be most interested in such a budget because I do think it is important we do that. We tried to do it in our bill by reducing the deficit in half over the next 4 years, which does take money and reduce the debt because any time you reduce the deficit, you reduce the debt. You are not adding to the debt. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the use of calculators be permitted on the floor Senate during consideration of the budget resolution. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.”