On the recordJanuary 28, 2010
This is not the time for being funny. This is a time for addressing the problems we have in this country with a debt that is going on and on. No one can dispute what I said, and that is, during the nineties when we had pay-go, record deficits were gone. Because of pay-go, we created a situation in this country where we were spending less money as a government than we were taking in. Think about that. As a result of that, we had unending optimism by the business community and economic growth that has been unparalleled. So this is not a time for jokes. This is a time for addressing a serious problem. My friend, who has the knowledge of the financial situation of this country as much as anyone in the country, knows this is not a time for jokes and trying to be funny. We have a situation in America today that calls for action. Of course, we can waive the pay-go rules if there is an emergency, but it is up to this body to determine if there is an emergency. I hope everyone understands this legislation does not block emergency spending, it does not keep businesses from creating jobs, and it does not prevent Congress from cutting taxes. I hope Republicans will join with us in restoring fiscal stability to our country.
