Kent Conrad: “I thank the Chaplain for the most excellent prayer that he offered today. I think it set the right tone for today's…”

“I thank the Chaplain for the most excellent prayer that he offered today. I think it set the right tone for today's discussions. I hope very much that while we may disagree strenuously, we can do so in a civil way. I thank especially the ranking member, Senator Gregg, for the way he has conducted this debate on the other side throughout. As is always the case with him, it has been thoroughly professional. It has set an excellent tone. We have vigorous disagreements on policy from time to time, but there are many areas where we actually agree. The budget, as it stands at this moment, takes us in a new direction. It takes us back to fiscal responsibility. It takes us toward a balanced budget by 2012. Every year of the 5-year budget the deficits will be reduced until we are in balance in 2012, albeit just barely. Under this budget resolution, the gross debt of the United States as a share of GDP will start going down in 2009.”