Political Quotes

“This is sort of an Alice in Wonderland experience here. We deal on an ongoing basis with provisions in the Tax Code. We have routinely extended some, as has been referenced; but what we have attempted to do historically is work together to be able to weigh, to balance--in many cases, pay for--for a duration that is not going to have the fiscal discipline evaporate. We need to be able to manage these provisions because they actually cost the Treasury money, and some are more valuable than others. There are tradeoffs. My friend, the chairman, worked for years producing a deficit-neutral tax reform, which had much to commend it, and I commend him for his hard work. All of these elements were addressed in his tax reform, but they were dealt with differently. Not all were extended permanently. In some cases, they were modified, some were repealed, some were made permanent--as part of a deliberative process to evaluate the impact and to not break the bank. He did it right. I appreciate it. I am sorry that it has not been introduced, and it was dismissed by the Speaker. I think that was a mistake. Today, we are continuing an effort to abandon any semblance that this Congress is going to work on major accomplishments before we adjourn. This week, we passed legislation that, if it were enacted, would kick into the next Congress our transportation bill, handing off that responsibility at least to the next Congress, probably the Congress after that.…”