Jack Reed: “it is with reluctance that I will vote in favor of this bill before us today. For almost 6 months, this Nation's good…”

“it is with reluctance that I will vote in favor of this bill before us today. For almost 6 months, this Nation's good faith and credit has been questioned due to the failure of the Republican majority to complete its budgetary responsibilities. Apparently, my Republican colleagues have come to their senses and will end their last minute, stop gap extensions of the Government's ability to meet its obligations to bond holders and Social Security recipients. However, while my colleagues are acting to prevent default they have attached a number of controversial provisions to this must-pass legislation--namely, some of the bill's regulatory reform language as well as line-item veto authority for the President. Let me be clear, while I am concerned with some of the regulatory reform provisions included in this bill, I support regulatory reform. I am pleased that legislation to provide judicial review of the Regulatory Flexibility Act is finally on its way to becoming law. Small businesses have been working to pass this legislation for years, and it will give real teeth to the small business protections in the Regulatory Flexibility Act.”