Kent Conrad: “I think that budget discipline that was lost is unfortunate. We ought to renew those budget disciplines as quickly as…”

“I think that budget discipline that was lost is unfortunate. We ought to renew those budget disciplines as quickly as possible. I think it is fine to say there are certain taxes we should cut. In fact, I have indicated publicly that I will vote to extend the 10-percent bracket. I will vote to extend the marriage penalty relief. I will vote to extend the expansion of the child care credit. I will vote to extend the small business expensing. I personally believe--and I think Senator Allard and I may agree--those are provisions that we ought to continue. There may be some more that Senator Allard wants to continue that I would not without paying for it. But I would say on any spending that is new and any tax cuts that are new, we ought to pay for them. This deficit ditch is so deep now that I think we ought to impose that discipline on ourselves. We did it before. It helped. I don't think it solved the problem, but it certainly made a contribution.”