John Cornyn

I think in conjunction with the policies of the administration with regard to the Gulf of Mexico, which has been a job-killer in our part of the world, in Texas and Alabama, the Gulf of Mexico, and reduced revenue to the Federal…

Is there not a very real danger of gasoline prices skyrocketing for the average consumer, and what would that do to our fragile economic recovery?

I worry that, along with the additional tax burden, that an industry which employs 9.2 million people in America right now, by adding $46 billion in additional taxes over the next 10 years by the permitorium we have seen in the Gulf of…

How does it reduce our dependency on imported energy to raise taxes to the tune of $46 billion on our domestic energy producers?

What is a State with 25 million people supposed to do when the Federal Government discriminates against it?

The problem that States that do fund 90 percent of public education in the country are experiencing is that the Federal Government has basically commandeered State budgets.

It is just unacceptable, and we are going to have continuing problems unless you and I can work out some solution.

I appreciate what the Ranking Member Senator Sessions, his questions relating to money equaling quality education.

If the President is disengaged, it will not happen. It will not happen.

Isn't it true that about 97 percent of the income taxes that are paid in America today are paid by the top 50 percent of income earners?

We cannot kick the can down the road.

My suggestion to you is, that if the President would invite those two individuals, along with House leadership, over to the White House and say, How can we work together to fix this problem, it would be a dramatically constructive move.

I hope that we will engage on these issues. The only way we are going to get a resolution of the crisis facing our country is if the President is engaged.

Will you agree with me, if you increase taxes on domestic production of energy, it will necessarily increase our dependence on imported energy?

So you can increase taxes on an industry and it will have no impact on price to consumers, is what you are saying?

$90 billion of tax increases in the President's budget are going to be imposed on the domestic energy industry under this budget.

Is it correct to say that this proposed budget relies, in part, on a $1.6 trillion tax increase over the next 10 years?

The Federal Government does have a relatively small role, 10 percent of spending, in K-12 education.

I look forward to working with you on the reauthorization of No Child Left Behind.

We need to find ways to grow the economy, primarily by encouraging the private sector to invest and to expand businesses and create jobs.

Assuming the Federal Government spends $3.7 trillion but only receives $2.2 trillion in revenue, that leaves an annual deficit of $1.5 trillion, correct?

I would say that most Americans would believe that 8.6 percent unemployment next year is unacceptably high, and we need----

I was pleasantly surprised... when you and other members of the President's Fiscal Commission came out with what I thought was a bold and dramatic and sobering report.

We cannot just talk about the economic outlook and the budget. We have to do something about it.

The time for talk is running out and now it is time for action.