Kent Conrad: “I say to my colleague, who not only do I respect but for whom I have genuine affection, when he says this is just a…”

“I say to my colleague, who not only do I respect but for whom I have genuine affection, when he says this is just a question of spending versus tax cut, he knows better. Those are not the choices. They really are not. The choices are tax cuts, spending, and addressing debt. The real difference between our two plans--the biggest difference--is they have twice as much for tax cuts and we have twice as much for debt reduction. That is the real difference. Yes, we also have some additional spending for prescription drugs, education, agriculture, and a prescription drug benefit because we think those are the priorities of the American people. But let there be no doubt, the fundamental difference between us is we are for more debt reduction; they are for more of a tax cut. That is where it lies. I yield the floor.”