Kent Conrad: “I favor the railroad retirement legislation. I strongly favor it. But I just as strongly support this amendment to knock…”

“I favor the railroad retirement legislation. I strongly favor it. But I just as strongly support this amendment to knock out directed scorekeeping because I think it misleads our colleagues and our countrymen. Directed scorekeeping would suggest this legislation costs $250 million this year to implement. That simply is not correct. The cost is $15.6 billion. The hard reality is, that is what the Federal Government is going to have to borrow to fund this legislation, $15.6 billion, not $250 million. We should not say otherwise. We can support this legislation but be direct and clear with respect to its cost.”