On the recordJuly 30, 2011
This agreement offers the calm, reasonable compromise the country wants. Most Americans don't want to let the debt ceiling expire. This bill solves that problem. Most Americans say, You know what? You probably can cut about 5 percent in most government programs. Not everybody believes that, but that's what this bill does. Most Americans say that there ought to be some other way to look at difficult entitlement programs and other issues. The bill sets up a process to do that. What the bill does is recognize the difference between the two parties and puts that difference aside. The majority party wants to make radical changes in Medicare and Social Security; we do not. We believe that the wealthiest Americans should pay their fair share to solve this problem. The majority party does not. The bill leaves that disagreement aside and focuses on the areas of agreement. You know, American troops on patrol are not asking under what conditions they should do their duty this afternoon. They're understanding their duty, and they're doing it--and so should we. Pass this bill.
