On the recordJuly 7, 2011
Well, I will respond to the distinguished Senator from Arizona that the resolution that was just passed was to go to a sense-of-the-Senate resolution, which, of course, has no force of law. It is, indeed, our second vote this week. I will say that there is one thing on the minds of the people today, one thing on the minds of the people of America today, and it is, What on Earth is Congress doing? What on Earth is the President doing? What are they doing to address the looming debt crisis? And we were called back in not to recess but so that we could do something meaningful. When I saw the Senator from Arizona on the Senate floor, he was ready to talk about our international situation and the commitments that we are making certainly. Many people said: No, wait a minute. We have a debt crisis, and we can't wait until August 2 to fulfill it. So I would just respond to the Senator from Arizona and say, when do the American people get the answer they deserve, which is that Congress and the President are working together, and we are being productive, and we have a budget resolution on the floor, and we are debating it and we are talking about our differences on taxes and spending? I don't think we can tax our way out of a recession. I don't think we can tax our way out of the budget deficit. I would just ask the Senator from Arizona if he thinks that we can make meaningful progress staying in session and debating, and if, in fact, that might be an option in the future.…
