Well, I thank the Senator. I would note that Senator Ayotte, who has spoken, Senator Graham, and Senator Wicker, along with myself, were conferees on the budget conference committee and that this was supposed to be the kind of thing we…

I thank my colleague. And I was referring to the fact that Senator Enzi is the one who has explained to us in a very clear way, from his accounting background, the problems we have had with the pension guarantee fund, and it is a very real…

I thank Senator Enzi for his leadership on the Budget Committee. He is a long-time member, a senior member, and he has worked hard on these issues for years. He is an accountant. He is able to add and subtract. He can see a debt crisis…

there is no debate on a motion to table. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Debate is not in order. The question is on agreeing to the motion. The yeas and nays have been ordered. The clerk will call the roll. The assistant legislative clerk called…

I would be pleased to yield to the Senator without yielding the floor to answer that question. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The Senator from Washington.

I thank Senator Graham. I think he made the defining point there, that this is a one-sided reduction of retirement benefits to people who served in the military, not impacting lots of others. I want to return to the central point. This…

I thank my colleagues for their heartfelt remarks about the cuts in this bill that will immediately impact the retirements of American military. They are subject to recall, to Active Duty. They are expecting these payments. Other…

I still have the floor, I believe. The PRESIDING OFFICER. I believe that is correct.

I yield to the Senator without yielding the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

I would like to continue to raise a simple point but a point of profound financial significance to America. One of the things that has happened in the bill that is before us is there has been an extension in the 10-year BCA plan--which was…

the budget conference didn't meet. We didn't produce a budget in conference. Our conferees did not vote. The two leaders of the conference, Senator Murray and Congressman Ryan, prepared the legislation now before us which has a number of…

I wish we had an agreement that is grand and great and would do what a lot of people have been dreaming of for some time and would put us on a sound financial path for decades to come. It is within our grasp. But it seems we are unable to…