Political Quotes

“now, on taxes, another matter. Yesterday, my friend the majority leader brought down the curtain on bipartisan tax reform before a discussion between our two parties could even start, dismissing the prospect of Democratic input, promising the Republicans would again use reconciliation to lock us out of the process, repeating the same mistake they did with healthcare. Leader McConnell's announcement just came a few hours after 45 Members of the Democratic caucus sent him a letter saying we were open to bipartisan discussions on tax reform. We had three simple, straightforward principles. Let me read the Democratic principles on tax reform: First, don't cut taxes for the 1 percent--the top 1 percent. They are doing fine. God bless them. Second, don't increase the debt and deficit, something many of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have been talking about for a long time. Third, negotiate in a fair and open process, not reconciliation but hearings, amendments, the things that have made America great and have brought this Senate the acclaim over the decades it has had. Now, I would like to know which of these principles the majority leader does not agree with. I would like to know. Is he closing the door on bipartisanship because he so dearly wants to cut taxes on the top 1 percent?…”