I will tell you, I don't know what is happening as a culture, but when we have the national news media obsessing on Michael Jackson and obsessing on side issues...

If we don't have a plan that all of us basically think has got merit, it will be abandoned.

I believe that job creation is primarily a function of the private sector, but we can do things to provide incentives to them to help them in that effort.

The recommendations of that commission will be brought to a vote in the Senate and in the House.

the debt has to be controlled, you are absolutely right.

We hope to support the efforts of an official commission, whether statutory or created by Executive order.

I think we have to be very careful not to prematurely reduce the deficit because, in many ways, we are facing what the Japanese did.

I thank the Senator from Colorado for his very powerful and persuasive remarks this morning. I hope colleagues are listening. This is a time that will define part of our economic future. This vote this morning will be a vote that will be…

Madam President, I yield 5 minutes to the Senator from Colorado. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Colorado is recognized. amendment no. 3302

Mr. President, how much time do I have? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from North Dakota has 4 minutes.

How much time does Senator Baucus and Senator Gregg retain? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Montana has 1 minute. The Senator from New Hampshire has 20 seconds.