Don Nickles: “I appreciate that answer, but the facts are, and my colleague from North Dakota I know will affirm this if pressed, we…”

“I appreciate that answer, but the facts are, and my colleague from North Dakota I know will affirm this if pressed, we do not write tax law in the budget resolution. We may assume something. I am assuming we are going to continue law that is presently in effect. We have at least scored enough for reconciliation to make sure low and middle-income families do not get a big tax increase to the tune of, for a family of 4, about $1,600, and for a family of 6 about $2,200 next year. That is basically all we are assuming for next year. And a little AMT relief. In reconciliation, that is all we are assuming. If last year is any example, we assumed a lot but we only got what we reconciled. Reconciliation assumes continuation of present law. In other words, no tax increase on families, no tax increase on marriage penalty, no tax increase on families that have children. That is what we are assuming. This amendment says, no, we want $5.5 billion more in taxes. That is just the first year. That might as well be multiplied by 10. My point is, this assumes a tax increase.”