Bob Corker: “I thank the leader for her comments and her ability to build consensus around the reauthorization as she did in the…”

“I thank the leader for her comments and her ability to build consensus around the reauthorization as she did in the committee. This is the fifth time since 2008--I have been here since January of 2007--that we have done a temporary extension. It is an absolute embarrassment. Not only do we not get the benefit of the economic growth that would come from people knowing there is a program in place where they can enter into long-term contracts and they can buy construction equipment, in addition to that, this is a tremendous problem of absolutely being generational theft. I will get to those comments, and I thank the Senator from Delaware for his leadership and for being here on the floor. I will be fairly brief and will yield the floor for him. I think if every Senator were asked if they were opposed to using budget gimmicks, they would say yes. I am sure the Presiding Officer would say the same. They say the budget should not be used as an offset to pay for spending. Time and time again, Congress avoids the tough decision and instead throws our kids under the bus so we can tell people back home that the legislation was passed and paid for. I have long been against the disgraceful practice of spending money today and paying for it in the future. It is shameful, it is irresponsible, and it is generational theft.…”