Political Quotes

“I agree. As a matter of fact, we have heard reports that the Democratic caucus is debating a budget in closed door caucus meetings, and they have done that at least twice. This is now 6 weeks after the committee deadline to bring forward a budget has passed. These reports indicate that in order to oblige the Senate's leading progressive, the Senator from Vermont, Senator Conrad has moved his budget further to the left, I think, than he probably desires. So we are told this budget now has more taxes than savings--raising taxes $2 trillion and possibly even $2.7 trillion, while cutting just $1.5 trillion in spending over 10 years. We will have to see it to know for sure. All we are hearing is news reports at this point. Even the President, in his speech, called for $3 in spending cuts for every $1 in tax increases. Our analysis of his speech shows he did not do that. But that is what he said is the right approach. As a ranking Republican on the Finance Committee, what are the Senator's thoughts about how steep tax hikes would affect the economy? Would it be better to cut wasteful Washington spending or to raise taxes and continue the spending spree we have been on?”