Pete Domenici: “let me take 1 minute, and then we are going to final passage. I want to thank everybody for their cooperation. Under a…”

“let me take 1 minute, and then we are going to final passage. I want to thank everybody for their cooperation. Under a very difficult process and procedure, I think we did very well. On a number of issues, there was great bipartisan support. I thank those on the other side of the aisle who have supported this overall package, and I hope the vote is overwhelming. Tonight we complete the first step of three legs. The three legs are to get the deficit down by reducing spending; second is for us to get a good tax bill for all Americans; third is to do the appropriations bills in a manner that is consistent with the agreement and which doesn't violate the Budget Act. I believe this is a historic beginning, and I am very pleased to be part of it. I thank everyone here for their role. I thank all eight committees that assumed their burden and produced their reconciliation package. Mostly, I thank Senator Roth, the chairman of the Finance Committee, and Senator Moynihan, his Democratic manager, and all those on the Finance Committee who worked to produce a bipartisan bill. The lesson learned is that we can get things done that are difficult but good for the American people in a bipartisan way if we just work at it.”